Book description
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.Review"Doerr returns with a deeply affecting epic....[Cloud Cuckoo Land] is a marvel." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Review"Doerr demonstrates a singular gift for bringing these complex, fully realized characters to empathetic life in this brilliantly imagined story, which moves backward and forward in time." Booklist (Starred Review)Review"As the pieces of this magical literary puzzle snap together, a flicker of hope is sparked for our benighted world." Kirkus (Starred Review)Review"A glorious golden mesh of stories that limns that the transformative power of literature and our need to both dream big and arrive back home in a world that will eventually flow on without us." Library Journal (Starred Review)About the AuthorAnthony Doerr is the author of All the Light We Cannot See, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the Carnegie Medal, the Alex Award, and a #1 New York Times bestseller. He is also the author of the story collections Memory Wall and The Shell Collector, the novel About Grace, and the memoir Four Seasons in Rome. He has won five O. Henry Prizes, the Rome Prize, the New York Public Library's Young Lions Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Story Prize. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Doerr lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife and two sons.
Fiend Oblivion
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments.
Papa Smurf
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. No more fussing with synchronization – this app just gets it done!
Call Back Queen
ListenBook's compatibility with playlists and CUE files is a great addition for those who love organized listening. 🎉📚 This app has rekindled my love for books – I can't stop listening! 🚀🎧 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Tomcat
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟
Freeway
I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything! This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Gr8 Flick
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening sessions into immersive experiences. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has elevated my listening experience. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
JK Friend
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. 🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Mr. Wholesome
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. ListenBook’s support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Bambi Benz
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness.
Kimono Goddess
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Digital Moonshine
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis.
Twix Esses
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. I’ve tried many audiobook players, and this one is by far the best.
PixelPioneer
💃 Dancing through chores with audiobooks – this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! 🎶📚 The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Mad Kid
I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound – it adds a personal touch. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫
VenusXX
With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Domino
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
RetroMirage
ListenBook's smooth playback and easy navigation ensure that my audiobook experience is always top-notch. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized.
Devil Bread
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. 🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Miss Mustard
This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. The app never crashes. It’s reliable and stable. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Canine Hannibal
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Looping playback is my favorite study tool. It's a game-changer for mastering challenging content. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It enhances the audio quality and makes listening comfortable. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience