Five characters spanning over eight centuries. A girl on an interplanetary ship years in the future. A closeted Korean War vet turned Greek translator and kindergarten play director. An autistic teen planning something dangerous. A young farmer with a cleft palate and a special connection to animals. And a young seamstress dreaming of the day she learns to read. What do these characters have in common? All of their lives are affected by one ancient text, Cloud Cuckoo Land, written by Antonius Diogenes, a real Greek author but a fictional story.

Another novel by Anthony Doerr named “About Grace” has many similarities to this one regarding its attention to detail and creativity. However, where “About Grace” annoyingly uses the main characters as a plot device, “Cloud Cuckoo Land” mainly refines this irritation. Instead, the multiple perspectives seem to weave together to create an organic, albeit slightly confusing, narrative. Doerr also uses different time periods for his characters, like 15th-century Constantinople, the Korean War, parts of the 21st Century and a futuristic post-apocalypse scenario. Especially during the start of the book, the use of many time periods feels slightly jarring. Although this could be an intentional technique to mirror the different time periods and settings, it may also serve to emphasize the contrast between them. Nevertheless, with each chapter a message of resilience and the many intricacies of life becomes all the more clear. Particularly during the story of Seymour, the unsettled teen set in 2020. Doerr takes the readers through Seymour’s life, showing his complicated childhood with his mom Bunny, and his behavioral issues in school. The troubles Seymour faces, combined with his unexpected empathy, make for one of the most captivating and volatile characters. Doerr’s descriptions and collage of later-relevant details during Seymour’s childhood bring to life an unusual and unexpectedly touching story.

An important part of this book is set in the past, where the two young characters in the 15th Century are courageous in the face of adversity. The seamstress Anna lives in Constantinople, where women are not allowed to read. Faced with this fact, Doerr’s character is a perfect example of inspiring pre-modern feminism and strength. Omeir, the young farmer, lives in the countryside outside Constantinople before being forced to leave his home. Surrounded by constant danger and scorn because of his face, Omeir’s only goal is to survive. His character represents the struggle of those marginalized by society, and his story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in even the most challenging circumstances.

All of the characters experience some pretty traumatic events, and the Korean War vet is obviously no exception. From the late 20th Century into the 21st, Zeno finds solace in Greek stories as a way to escape his grief while reeling from the challenges of love and the trauma of war. Doerr doesn’t shy away from depicting Zeno’s flaws, showing a man who is not only brave but also profoundly broken. His struggles with sadness and loss make him a relatable and human character with a journey that feels both painful and real. Konstance, a curious girl from the future on a stressful quest for truth, is also on a journey. She lives on an interplanetary ship named The Argos with her family and other crew members. Konstance’s story takes a long time to develop but is eventually worthwhile. Unfortunately, some of the plot details were disappointingly weak and unclear.

Each of the five main characters in Cloud Cuckoo Land embodies a sense of goodness while they are all deeply affected by issues that remain incredibly relevant in today’s world, making this book an exemplary read for teens and adults. Fortunately, the likeability and emotional influence of the characters make up for the inconsistent pacing of the writing style. The world created is entirely immersive, with a complexity that will leave the reader contemplating for days. Using an imaginary ancient text as structural glue, Doerr’s novel powerfully demonstrates the struggles that have always and will continue to resonate, whether in the present or across centuries. From marginalization, to grief, to heartbreak; this book leaves the necessary reminder that the challenges of human existence transcend time.