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yerggggggg's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eeeceetee's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elliejmatthews's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thetipsytomes's review against another edition
5.0
He that knows all that Learning ever writ, knows only this - that he knows nothing yet.
Anthony Doerr has managed to blend three genres: historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy in a book that will show you the adventures of five individuals throughout time and how a story can change someone's life. I think that the story of Aethon that is told within the book and the story of the individuals can be interpreted in many ways, but that is the beautiful thing about this book. Cloud Cuckoo Land has made me lose faith in humanity just to give it back to me.
I will admit that the first several chapters I was confused as to the connections between these five individuals, but if you pay close attention, you can see the connections develop between them. It is not an easy or light read, but if you're willing to put in the time, I can assure you that you're in for a treat. I cannot wait to read more books by this author.
Happy Reading
- Alyssa
robscha's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
This was Anthony Doerr’s attempt at cloud atlas or sea of tranquility. I think it was good, but I think those books were better personally. I do like his writing and will pick up the next book he writes!
peaknit's review against another edition
3.0
All I can say for now is…wow. (I need to process.) in the end, it was often lost on me but there was beauty here.
spatterson12's review against another edition
3.0
This one missed the mark a little bit. Normally, I love multiple characters and jumping timelines, but the first third of the book I couldn’t connect to the stories. And a third of this book is about 200 pages.
There are about three different timelines happening, though kind of four.
Omeir and Anna each had their stories set in the 1400s. For whatever reason, whenever I got to an Anna chapter, I wasn’t that excited. Omeir had a little bit more interest with his family dynamics and his relationship with the twin calves he raised.
Then, there was a timeline set in 2020 with Zeno and Seymour. I had more investment in these characters - maybe because with Zeno we got his bonus timeline of time spent in Korea in the 1950s and his personal journey through about seven decades. Zeno was probably my favorite. With Seymour, we had a look at his relationship with his mother and her commitment to doing the best with what she had to support him.
The last timeline with Konstance was set about four generations after 2020, with her living in a manufactured world due to Earth’s demise. Her story slowly grew on me, and as it did, her chapters were those I got excited for.
At times the story went too in the weeds with individual character journeys and the book really didn’t need to be more than 600 pages. I get the overarching theme of how stories connect civilization, but it felt a little lost or not as focused as it could have been.
There are about three different timelines happening, though kind of four.
Omeir and Anna each had their stories set in the 1400s. For whatever reason, whenever I got to an Anna chapter, I wasn’t that excited. Omeir had a little bit more interest with his family dynamics and his relationship with the twin calves he raised.
Then, there was a timeline set in 2020 with Zeno and Seymour. I had more investment in these characters - maybe because with Zeno we got his bonus timeline of time spent in Korea in the 1950s and his personal journey through about seven decades. Zeno was probably my favorite. With Seymour, we had a look at his relationship with his mother and her commitment to doing the best with what she had to support him.
The last timeline with Konstance was set about four generations after 2020, with her living in a manufactured world due to Earth’s demise. Her story slowly grew on me, and as it did, her chapters were those I got excited for.
At times the story went too in the weeds with individual character journeys and the book really didn’t need to be more than 600 pages. I get the overarching theme of how stories connect civilization, but it felt a little lost or not as focused as it could have been.
sarajooy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0