All the Light We Cannot See was such a favourite of mine I was almost scared on the author's behalf, how can one better that, but he has actually gone and done it. This is simply magnificent.

I really wanted to write a review that this stunning book deserves, but it’s just not possible. How a writer can weave the tale of so many apparently disparate threads & characters into such a beautiful, meaningful & powerful story is a mystery, but Anthony Doerr does, and then some. It just shouldn’t be possible to jump between 15th century Constantinople, the Korean War, modern day Idaho & the futuristic Argos , time and again and not leave the reader utterly lost. But there’s so much warmth in each thread, such humanity, and such a clear feeling of forward motion towards a predetermined future that I was enthralled within a few chapters. Even days later I’m still thinking about Konstance, Seymour, Omeir, Anna and Zeno, and this fable about a fable.

This is a tour de force. Absolutely stunning. I find it hard to sum up the story (stories) without making it sound so complicated that I lose the sheer virtuosity of the storytelling. There are three (ish) timelines, one 15th Century, one 20th/21st Century and one in the future. All are connected by an ancient Greek tale of Aethon and his dream of the paradise that is Cloud Cuckoo Land. In all three strands there are characters you care about and empathise with until, at the end, all the strands fit neatly into place. This is all accomplished so skillfully it would be easy to overlook the amount of research and effort put into making the stories so alive and vibrant. As Dorothy says "there's no place like home ". The nearest comparison I could make is to "Cloud Atlas". I recommend this very highly indeed.

It's about the past, the present and a short period in the future. A truly brilliant read with unique connections through time. It openly displays an admiration for the printed word, a love of books that transends history, a love of language, bravery, and self sacrifice. It is not until the final chapter is read that the cleverness of the author is realized. To me personally the heart of Cloud cuckoo land is about love and how that gives meaning and happiness to our lives. It seems to me pointless to discuss the plot and the various time zones they occupy. For real enjoyment don't judge the story on the first chapters, but understand the work as a whole, it is only then that you will appreciate what a clever and unique novel it is.

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is an epic of a book and the reader can understand why it would take seven years to write and assemble so many divergent parts to the story. There are many tales to be told and many characters part to be heard before a wonderful ending. Highly recommended