“Sometimes the things we think are lost are only hidden, waiting to be rediscovered.”–Anthony Doerr, Cloud Cuckoo Land
Cloud Cuckoo Land, written by Pulitzer Prize Winning author, Anthony Doerr, is a unique and compelling novel about five characters from different times and places who are linked together by an imaginary manuscript–“Cloud Cuckoo Land.” The characters, many of whom are children, find hope and comfort in the manuscript, despite difficult circumstances.
Anna and Omeir’s paths cross during the 15th century siege of Constantinople. Zeno and Seymour’s paths cross in present day Idaho and Konstance is alone on an interstellar ship sometime in the future. For each of them, Cloud Cuckoo Land is more than just something to read–it provides a path to resilience and hope.
This is an ambitious work that despite going between multiple characters and time periods, comes together nicely. It takes the reader through a range of emotions and illustrates the interconnectedness of humanity. I listened to the audio book and recommend it. This follow up to Doerr’s amazing All the Light We Cannot See does not disappoint.
Content Advisory: Language, violence, death