Wow wow wow wow wow. I finished this book a couple of days ago and I have been bereft... I can't read anything else yet. I just wanted to stay immersed in the world that Anthony Doerr had created in Cloud Cuckoo Land. I loved every page, every sentence, every word. I won't talk about the plot or characters because I knew nothing about anything when I started and I think that's the best way to read this book. I will say that it's one of the best books I have ever read, I will tell everyone I meet that they should read it and I'll probably read it again before the month is through. Thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible book!

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Antonius Diogenes, translation by Zeno Ninis. A magical journey that is sure to amaze you, indeed! I loved the worlds held within Cloud Cuckoo Land and the, seemingly, disjointed nature of the characters we follow: Konstance, Zeno, Seymour, Anna, Omeir and even Aethon. Each lives life in a different location and time but all are touched and transformed by the ancient story Cloud Cuckoo Land. This novel details a long and beautiful journey seeing our characters face many perils and heartbreaks which is entirely rewarding in the end when the connections are made clear. A vastly complex story filled with ideas on happiness, survival, belief, love, loyalty, courage and protection of the environment it covers much worthy ground in a charming and delightful way.

What an amazing adventure I went on alongside the characters. The characters are from different centuries and countries are linked together by a book. Each of them either finds, reads, translates or is inspired by a book called Cloud Cuckoo Land written by Antonius Diogenes for his ill niece. In this book a humble shepherd, Aethon, is travelling to reach a mythic, paradise city and is transformed along the way into a donkey, fish etc. Chronologically first is Anna in 15th century Christian Constantinople. She is a poor embroiderer of priests' robes but by good fortune learns to read and finds the book. The other side of the city walls we meet gentle Omeir who has been made to bring his twin oxen to serve in the Sultan's army as they besiege the city. In the 20th/21st centuries we meet two residents of Lakeport, Idaho. Zeno Ninis who is connected to the book through an encounter during the Korean War. Equally poor Seymour lives in the same town, but his link to the book is more dramatic. Lastly there is Konstance who is on a spaceship escaping Earth's environmental destruction who comes across the book through her father. The structure of the book follows the characters in an alternating way, but also doesn't always tell each story in a linear way. This sounds complicated but isn't as each character and setting is so vividly realized. The author leaves the reader to see these parallels between the characters, even beyond their connection to the book. Each character is an "outsider" in many ways from their own culture. Anna is set outside her small ecclesiastical community by her literacy, Omeir by a physical difference (a cleft palate.) Seymour has autism and Zeno is different because of his sexuality. Konstance's "outsider" status is done in a more intriguing way... Each character is also touched by war, although the wars of Seymour and Konstance are different from the others. Poverty is yet another parallel with Zeno and Seymour coming from a sector of American society where long hours are worked for low wages and everyday life is a financial struggle As well as being connected by these themes, the novel also explores "green/climate change/emergency" themes. Omeir's original life is a rural one and he has a special bond to his oxen. Anna learns more about non-city life as she grows older. Zeno is perhaps less linked to this theme, which is most overtly connected to Seymour. His early life is dominated by his close relationship with the forest which is destroyed for "rich" houses. Konstance 's father grows the plants aboard the spaceship (under the guardianship of the omniscient computer Sybil) The spaceship is equipped to cross many light years to reach a planet which will sustain human life. However Doerr's handling of theses themes is never "preachy" There are certain motifs which crop up- owls for example. Read to the end to find out more about this. There are many refractions, reflections and common themes but like Aethon, each character is transformed . Their relationship with Cloud Cuckoo Land is a quest, like his, towards understanding. A richly imaginative, immersive book in which the reader too goes on a transformative journey. Thanks to the publishers for an Advanced Reading Copy. Tracey Exeter High Street

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 transcends 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.

This book is so well written and and completely draws you into the different worlds inside. I felt that I was there in Constantinople, Idaho and the ship alongside the characters. I saw a review that said this book will make you fall in love with reading again and it's so true!