To answer questions about
Cloud Cuckoo Land,
please sign up.
Wade Harrison
Despite the fantastical tale the title refers to, this novel is not at all a "fantasy genre" story... it creatively interweaves medieval, contemporary, and speculative/future settings into a single novel. It is complex and requires a little patience but I found it wonderful. The contrived "fairy tale" used to stitch those settings together is important, but just a device, a thread used to illustrate something much larger and deeper and real.
Rick B
I'm not a fantasy fan nor scifi fan at all..BUT, I enjoyed this book. Without a doubt it's not a read for everyone. It's deep, and I found myself flipping back a lot to make sure I was understanding what was going on. WIth that, it does all fall into place so give it time. Sorry, I did NOT like All the Light at all. I know I'm in the minority here but while I loved one half of that book with the French girl, her father, the stone, etc...I did NOT like the other half surrounding the German boy in a Hitler youth camp focusing on radios, and soundwaves etc...Because of that, I hesitated reading Cuckoo as it was the same author and much longer. Not to worry..it was worth it. Loved every character and even those beyond characters. The story was incredible, and how the author connected all of them, and time frames from ancient Greek to space...simply amazing! Read it!
Nicole
I finished it, but could have just as easily stopped at some point. This is just okay, whereas "All the Light We Cannot See" was wonderful.
Lino
From my perspective, I don't think you will be disappointed.
Here is my review:
“But books, like people die. They die in fires or floods or in the mouth of worms or at the whims of tyrants. If they are not safeguarded, they go out of the world. And when a book goes out of the world, the memory dies a second death.”
“And the tale I have to tell is so ludicrous, so incredible, that you’ll never believe a word of it, and yet -she taps the end of his nose- it’s true.”
This is my second novel by Anthony Doerr (All the Light We Cannot See). Anthony Doerr has created a tapestry of times and places that reflect our vast interconnectedness – with other species, with each other, with those who lived before us, and those who will be here long after we’re gone. Dedicated to “librarians then, and now, and in the years to come.” Cloud Cuckoo Land is a beautiful and redemptive novel about stewardship – of the book, of the earth, of the human heart. The novel emphasizes the importance of literature and the power it has to transcend time and space.
The five protagonists in his novel are all connected by fighting spirits and their search for meaning and purpose in a damaged world. The way Doerr unveils each of their stories is nothing short of magnificent, and the few final chapters are an incredibly rewarding experience. At the heart of their individual stories, lies the power of the ancient Greek manuscript “Cloud Cuckoo Land,” which tells the mythical tale of Aethon. It provides hope and inspiration at different moments throughout the novel.
Above all, Cloud Cuckoo Land explores how books and libraries can connect people across the ages – just like they do in this remarkable story!
Here is my review:
“But books, like people die. They die in fires or floods or in the mouth of worms or at the whims of tyrants. If they are not safeguarded, they go out of the world. And when a book goes out of the world, the memory dies a second death.”
“And the tale I have to tell is so ludicrous, so incredible, that you’ll never believe a word of it, and yet -she taps the end of his nose- it’s true.”
This is my second novel by Anthony Doerr (All the Light We Cannot See). Anthony Doerr has created a tapestry of times and places that reflect our vast interconnectedness – with other species, with each other, with those who lived before us, and those who will be here long after we’re gone. Dedicated to “librarians then, and now, and in the years to come.” Cloud Cuckoo Land is a beautiful and redemptive novel about stewardship – of the book, of the earth, of the human heart. The novel emphasizes the importance of literature and the power it has to transcend time and space.
The five protagonists in his novel are all connected by fighting spirits and their search for meaning and purpose in a damaged world. The way Doerr unveils each of their stories is nothing short of magnificent, and the few final chapters are an incredibly rewarding experience. At the heart of their individual stories, lies the power of the ancient Greek manuscript “Cloud Cuckoo Land,” which tells the mythical tale of Aethon. It provides hope and inspiration at different moments throughout the novel.
Above all, Cloud Cuckoo Land explores how books and libraries can connect people across the ages – just like they do in this remarkable story!
Julie Kelley
I listened on audio. Not sure if I would have made through if I was reading it. Enjoyed it on Audible.
IvanOpinion
I would not consider this fantasy or SciFi. About a quarter of it is set in the future on a spaceship, but most of it is historical or current day.
And even the bit set in the future doesn't seem like SciFi. The only reason it is in a spaceship is that this allows the author to say certain things about our current world and where we are headed and to continue certain themes that emerge in the other narratives.
If anything, I would say that the type of reader who should avoid this book is someone who loves SciFi and little else.
And even the bit set in the future doesn't seem like SciFi. The only reason it is in a spaceship is that this allows the author to say certain things about our current world and where we are headed and to continue certain themes that emerge in the other narratives.
If anything, I would say that the type of reader who should avoid this book is someone who loves SciFi and little else.
Laura Bazal
I'd get this from the library if you can, but I will also say this: the book is part history, part science fiction, part social commentary (this being particularly gripping by the end), part Greek literature (the last being a small, digestible amount). I do think that with the set-up of the chapters, there is a learning curve. None of the character's situations are particularly similar from one to the next, so you would be able to differentiate in that way. That said, you'll be interacting with each character in every chapter, and it takes a bit of time to really get your bearings on the story. I'd say if you like this author, it's worth trying out!
Katherine
Just finished reading a second time - just magical. Wonderful characters, interwoven story, and so unexpected. I don't read much fiction, mostly because it bores me and the quality is seldom in this league.
Stephanie
the book is thick, but there are a lot of blank pages and title pages. i would not let the page count deter you.
PJ Linney
I see that you decided to buy this book. I do not consider it a fantasy book nor a SciFi. It has multiple characters in vastly different times and situations who have as a common “touchstone” an Ancient Greek fable. I hope you enjoy it! I loved it! One of the few that I gave 5 stars to!
Ed Bernard
Strongly dislike overly long books (authors, listen to your editors!!), but this was a pretty quick read for me and never boring. Also, it's not fantasy in any way, other than the fact that unusual things happen ... but it's not like the genre.
Letha
I just finished it; historical fiction is a favorite genre of mine. This book of course is a mix of history and from where I am looking not quite fantasy but certainly futuristic. It is not an easy book to read and after the first 100 pages, I came back here to see reviews and decide if I wanted to continue and am glad I did continue. I had to work hard to keep the different story line flowing along. I would not invest the money (I borrow the audiobooks from my local library) but in the final analysis, the time is worth spending especially since I listen to the audio books on my walks or while gardening, driving or cooking. I did have to rewind a lot especially since the story lines switch very abruptly and it took my mind a bit to adjust to the fact that the story line had switched .
ejs
Hang in there! I was a bit confused and not a fantasy genre person, but it ties together beautifully. What a story teller!
Ruth Featherstone
I couldn't get through it. It was too meandering for me, which made me find the sheer volume of it intimidating. I felt disappointed as I really enjoyed 'All the Light We Cannot See'.
Linda Marye
I guess I like long books if they're worth it. Heck, I love Dickens. For me, it moved quickly. I especially liked the history of the fall of Constantinople.
Renee Fisher
I wish they wouldn't call this "fantasy" or "sci fi." Yes, one of the stories would fit those categories, but the others would not. They are historical or current day. And the "sci fi" story is an integral part of the whole. Start reading, and you will see that.
Jeanne
I read this faster than I expected-it is long and bounces a little but the chapters are short so I would keep reading "just one more" - well worth the read - different - and characters you want to meet and cheer for
Andrea Weeks
I found this book to be very interesting for the first 100 pages, but then from page 100-300, I was definitely bored. Someone in my book club pleaded with me to finish. It was grueling to get through pages 200-300, but there is a HUGE reveal around page 300 that made the rest of the book very interesting. Anthony Doerr is a beautiful writer and does so much research to make his book meaningful. THere are definitely some holes in this book (ie I found much of Konstance's story not believable), but I still found her story one of the most interesting (second to Seymor and Zeno). Anna's story was the LEAST interesting to me (Hence the reason I disliked pages 100-300), but I understand her story was important because she is the one who rescues the manuscript that is woven throughout the story.
Ben M.
BTW - I attempted to read All the Light We Cannot See, and couldn't get past 75 pages on that one either. His style of writing, his topics, are just not for me. I feel the same about Colson Whitehead, I started several of his books as well, couldn't get through any of them.
Pulse
No fantasy at all in this. Very minimal sci-fi.
Chris
This does not read like fantasy. If anything, it reads a little like sci-fi. If you're familiar with All the Light We Cannot See, Dooer uses the back-and-forth switches of chapters to weave his story. He adds a few more elements than the little German boy and blind French girl to weave this particular story, and the intrigue of how it will all come together was a fun factor in reading it. I listened to it on Audible.
Rebecca F.
nothing short of CUCKOO...
Ms. Waterman
I am LOVING this book! I love the mix of genres (historical, science fiction, contemporary fiction), and of course the beautiful language and layered and
detailed portrayal of characters.
detailed portrayal of characters.
Mommalibrarian
Consider libraries! It is nice to have money to support authors, but not everyone is in that position.
bob walenski
I was also daunted at first by the length and set up, but it reads VERY FAST!!!!! In fact, It reads more like a 300 pg novel...I finished it in 4 days. The fantasy aspect is also misleading...I also am not a huge fan, so I was skeptical. But it's only a small part. and without adding any spoilers, helped bring the story back to earth. It's really stories about wonderful characters from 800 years of history and the possible future who find an interconnectedness.
Kristine Kocan
I was too long! A bit disjointed in the beginning too. I almost put it down to finish at a later date, but kept at it. The middle to the end was good, but it really could have been shorter.
Princessbride
I do hope you have gone ahead and read the book. It was fantastical and a great read.
Vicky Shea
I almost did not read it because of the back cover copy. We passed it up in book club, but I finally picked it up because a friend that has always recommend great books suggested it. I loved the story and the way it weaved one story throughout all the sub stories. It is worth starting.
Nicolas Acton
Technically I would say I actually read the hardcover in about the same time period I would read a ~400 page book. The print is relatively large text and many pages are either blank pages, simple title pages, or ending of sections that cut under halfway through the page. While the book is thick, the pages themselves are quite light.
Joan
I gave up after 12 pages -just cant follow it
Jeffrey M.Collins
Yes. Disliked them both.
But what a bargain! Multiple books rolled into one.
Ugh.
But what a bargain! Multiple books rolled into one.
Ugh.
Kathleen
I agree with Nicole. I was on the fence as well and not a fan of fantasy. I would not recommend it to someone who is unsure. I gave it 2 stars
Nikki
I felt the same way & 650 pages is a lot to spend time on if you don't like it; however, I'm on page 150-ish & I'm enjoying it. Give it a shot! You can always quit at 50 or so if it's not your cup of tea. Also, it hasn't been fantasy so far. :)
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more