Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel

Written by Anthony Doerr

Narrated by Marin Ireland and Simon Jones

AudioFile Magazine’s Best Audiobooks of 2021

On the New York Times bestseller list for over 20 weeks * A New York Times Notable Book * A National Book Award Finalist * Named a Best Book of the Year by Fresh Air, Time, Entertainment Weekly, Associated Press, and many more

“If you’re looking for a superb novel, look no further.” —The Washington Post

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of All the Light We Cannot See, comes the instant New York Times bestseller that is a “wildly inventive, a humane and uplifting book for adults that’s infused with the magic of childhood reading experiences” (The New York Times Book Review).

Among the most celebrated and beloved novels of recent times, Cloud Cuckoo Land is a triumph of imagination and compassion, a soaring story about children on the cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope, and a book.

In the 15th century, an orphan named Anna lives inside the formidable walls of Constantinople. She learns to read, and in this ancient city, famous for its libraries, she finds what might be the last copy of a centuries-old book, the story of Aethon, who longs to be turned into a bird so that he can fly to a utopian paradise in the sky. Outside the walls is Omeir, a village boy, conscripted with his beloved oxen into the army that will lay siege to the city. His path and Anna’s will cross.

In the present day, in a library in Idaho, octogenarian Zeno rehearses children in a play adaptation of Aethon’s story, preserved against all odds through centuries. Tucked among the library shelves is a bomb, planted by a troubled, idealistic teenager, Seymour. This is another siege.

And in a not-so-distant future, on the interstellar ship Argos, Konstance is alone in a vault, copying on scraps of sacking the story of Aethon, told to her by her father.

Anna, Omeir, Seymour, Zeno, and Konstance are dreamers and outsiders whose lives are gloriously intertwined. Doerr’s dazzling imagination transports us to worlds so dramatic and immersive that we forget, for a time, our own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797128535

Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr is the author of the New York Times bestselling Cloud Cuckoo Land, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, and All the Light We Cannot See, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Carnegie Medal, the Alex Award, and a #1 New York Times bestseller. He is also the author of the story collections Memory Wall and The Shell Collector, the novel About Grace, and the memoir Four Seasons in Rome. He has won five O. Henry Prizes, the Rome Prize, the New York Public Library’s Young Lions Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Story Prize. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Doerr lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife and two sons.

Reviews for Cloud Cuckoo Land

[Christal Earle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story is vast and I loved how it comes together through the great voices. It truly is a tribute to the power of a good story. Highly recommend!

[Katie Metheny · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Surprised by this book. Didn’t think it was my type of read but kept to it and really liked it.

[Denise Bond · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jumps around between time periods and lives but halfway through I was anxiously awaiting how they all come together. Pleasantly surprised I was to put the time line together and really enjoyed the story. Good ending.

[Susie Reed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I normally avoid the books that end up on every home page of every reading app or bookstore. I get sick of the picture and hate the book on principle.

But, after looking at the cover and seeing it recommended so many times, I broke down and got the audio version.

I really enjoyed it and will likely recommend to others. And probably read all of his other books too.

[Robert Schumacher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As I got into this book I was wondering where all the assorted characters and situations across time were going. By the conclusion I was astonished at how well it wrapped up and how much I enjoyed it. Actually loved this book.

[Michael Winslow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whoa! What an incredibly complex storyline. I am impressed Doerr was able to bring it all together. After so much time was devoted to crafting the story, I felt that the ending was a little rushed. That is my only complaint.

[TK · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is how to write! Rich with the essence of life. A masterpiece.

[Natalie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great vacation read. I would recommend starting off with the real book and switching to audio after page 100. I did half the book as audio during a busy workweek, got lost and started over. It was worth the time commitment. You need to focus though. I can see why it won the Pulitzer prize. Very unique and I’m glad I read it.

[Lohe Ka Hekili · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not for listening. Too complex. Better for reading as normal book

[Libbie George · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely amazing. How does he do it? How does he weave so many details and characters into one cohesive story?! This book is phenomenal. Nevermind the title- this book will keep you turning or listening long after you should.

[Lucy Steinert · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Any one of the five stores could have been a novel. 5! Too much, too jumpy, too shallow.

[Kim Campbell Ostler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Will be on my list of books that changed me. Beautifully written. Characters you'll remember the rest of your life. Lessons that will transform the you think and live, even if you don't want to. I can't wait to pass this for. To my 13 year old to maybe learn from this book before she goes forth to change the world.

[Roberta Perry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truly one of the best books I’ve ever listened to! It took a while for me to get into, probably four or five chapters, and after that I could not stop! It will stay with me forever!

[Nicole · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful creative storytelling at its absolute best! I can’t stop recommending it to anyone who will listen. I both read and listened and surprisingly enjoyed the audio book best.

[Molly Bolton · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was really separate stories which were linked by a book that doesn’t exist; and it felt too disjointed and forced. The modern day and future characters were interesting and their link was more tangible, but the historical characters were so dull to me. There were long parts of this book that were just boring. I just didn’t find it as engaging and lovely as other readers.

[Daniel Geoghgan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good!
Fanciful, expansive, intertwining, sweet, sad, entertaining and beautiful.

[Alla · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating! Beautiful tail about hope and love of life. Could not put it down.

[Missy Cahill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic epic story that takes place over hundreds of years. I loved every single character and the ties that bound them all together are stunning. A true tour de force.

[Nikole Lewis · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Too many stories and not very well connected. 1 star

[Fevvers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Was alw l going on for tix x hug try CC F fight ftt did red

[Laura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The intertwining of the stories was very engaging. I enjoyed the different times and places and surprises that unfurled. The readers were perfect for the stories. Their inflection added to the characters' development and gave insight as to the personality of each.

[amelie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An interconnected cast of dreamers and outsiders are in dangerous and disparate settings past, present and future. An ancient text is what connects them. 

This was so not what I expected when picking it up, but I kind of love it. I loved how these at first view diverse stories are brought towards each other and connected. The commonalities between the different storylines and the repeated themes and details are very smart. Cloud Cuckoo Land is so thought through and well written and a perfect mix of historical fiction, sci-fi and literary fiction.

[Gigi Brown · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My favorite part of the book was Constance’s story and outer space.
I also wanted to see if all stories might relate to one one another, or be tired together my some thread. It kept me interested.

[Andrea Epperson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the interlocking tales and how they all ended.

[Aly Kellogg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing story telling ability! I couldn’t get enough of it. The narrators brought this tale to life.

[sheree kachnic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book!! It follows the story of several characters living in different times and then wonderfully stitches them together. The beginning can feel a little disjointed, but hang on because it all comes together and you will see the significance of each little detail. This is a great story and I feel like I could read it again and get even more out of it.

[Beth Rachkis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. It was wonderful. I plan to read it again.

[Niki Drake · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent narration and story to listen to. Easy to love the characters and complex stories that eventually all connect. Wonderful writing

[Annette M Toy Homiller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a well written fabulous story that was read well

[Suzanne Thompson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I gave it four stars because it ended well. It was touch and go for a while, but if there’s going to be a good part, the last quarter of the book is a good place for it to be. I listened to the audiobook, so it could be less confusing, if actually read.