Cloud Cuckoo Land

Name: Cloud Cuckoo Land
SKU: 9780008478650
Availability: InStock

EGP450.00

Book Summary

Set in Constantinople in the fifteenth century, in a small town in present-day Idaho, and on an interstellar ship decades from now, Anthony Doerr’s gorgeous third novel 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 Cloud Cuckoo Land, Doerr has created a magnificent tapestry of times and places that reflects our vast interconnectedness—with other species, with each other, with those who lived before us, and with those who will be here after we’re gone. Thirteen-year-old Anna, an orphan, lives inside the formidable walls of Constantinople in a house of women who make their living embroidering the robes of priests. Restless, insatiably curious, Anna learns to read, and in this ancient city, famous for its libraries, she finds a 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. This she reads to her ailing sister as the walls of the only place she has known are bombarded in the great siege of Constantinople. Outside the walls is Omeir, a village boy, miles from home, conscripted with his beloved oxen into the invading army. His path and Anna’s will cross. Five hundred years later, in a library in Idaho, octogenarian Zeno, who learned Greek as a prisoner of war, rehearses five 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. She has never set foot on our planet. Like Marie-Laure and Werner in All the Light We Cannot See, Anna, Omeir, Seymour, Zeno, and Konstance are dreamers and outsiders who find resourcefulness and hope in the midst of gravest danger. Their lives are gloriously intertwined. Doerr’s dazzling imagination transports us to worlds so dramatic and immersive that we forget, for a time, our own. Dedicated to “the librarians then, 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. From the National Book Award finalist citation: “From the 15th century to the future, the five protagonists in Anthony Doerr’s brilliant Cloud Cuckoo Land come together astonishingly in the stories they make of their lives, rewritten by time and circumstance. This marvelous book is like an astrolabe or an armillary sphere; a navigation instrument engineered to discover the world. Urgent, rife with relevance and compassion, Doerr’s novel affirms the necessity of the made thing, the capacious imagination, and storytelling.”

Language: English
Paperback: 640 pages
ISBN-10: 0008478651
ISBN-13: 9780008478650
Genre: History
Shipping Weight: 60 grams
Condition: New

SKU: 9780008478650 Categories: Books, English Books, History Author: Anthony Doerr

REFUND AND RETURN POLICY

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Cloud Cuckoo Land Book Description

Set across three vastly different eras, Cloud Cuckoo Land follows a group of young dreamers who discover hope through a single ancient story. In 15th‑century Constantinople, orphan Anna learns to read and shares the tale of Aethon with her sick sister as the city faces siege. Hundreds of years later, a retired scholar named Zeno stages a play of the same story for children in a small Idaho library, while a hidden bomb threatens the peace. In a far‑future starship, Konstance copies the legend onto scraps of cloth, preserving it for generations yet unborn. These intertwined narratives explore resilience, imagination, and the power of books to connect us across time.

Key Features of Cloud Cuckoo Land

Readers will enjoy a richly woven tapestry of historical, contemporary, and speculative settings. The novel balances vivid descriptions of Constantinople’s bustling markets with the stark quiet of an interstellar vault. Additionally, each protagonist faces personal loss, yet they find strength in storytelling. Furthermore, Doerr’s prose is lyrical yet accessible, making the complex structure easy to follow. The book also includes a tribute to librarians, highlighting the vital role of caretakers of knowledge.

Meanwhile, the narrative introduces themes of stewardship, environmental responsibility, and cultural continuity. Fans of All the Light We Cannot See will recognize Doerr’s blend of hope and hardship. Moreover, the story’s multiple timelines encourage readers to reflect on how past actions shape future possibilities. This layered approach creates a reading experience that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Why Read This Book?

The story invites readers to explore how a single tale can survive wars, disasters, and even space travel. Many readers find inspiration in the characters’ courage and curiosity. Inside, the novel poses questions about the value of literature in shaping identity and community. Additionally, the book’s pace remains steady, with each chapter revealing new connections between characters separated by centuries.

Furthermore, Doer’s masterful storytelling offers a reminder that hope can blossom in the darkest moments. The novel’s blend of history, mystery, and science fiction appeals to a wide audience, from history buffs to sci‑fi enthusiasts. Therefore, it makes an excellent addition to any personal library or book club discussion.