Cloud Cuckoo Land

Antonius Diogenes is the author of Cloud Cuckoo Land, a fictional work of literature that exists within Doerr’s novel of the same name. Although Cloud Cuckoo Land is a fabrication, Diogenes is a real person, and his proto-novelistic works had some influence on the Greek literary tradition.

Miss Cunningham is actually the name of two different women who are twins and work at the Lakeport Library in Zeno’s youth. They are always seen together and support Zeno’s interest in reading.

Maria is Anna’s sister. Unlike Anna, Maria follows the convent’s rules and never steps out of line. However, when Kalaphates discovers Anna’s manuscripts and grows angry, Maria selflessly takes the punishment that should have gone to Anna. Her selflessness eventually costs Maria her life.

Bunny is Seymour’s mother. Although she tries her best to support her son, she lacks money and often displaces the stress of her financial burden on him. Bunny works multiple jobs for most of her life and has little time for Seymour, even though she loves him dearly.

Trustyfriend is the name Seymour gives to an owl he finds in the woods. Seymour tells Trustyfriend all of his problems. Trustyfriend’s death begins the process of Seymour becoming radicalized.

Mathilda is the username of a person Seymour talks to on the internet who claims to be a part of Bishop’s camp. She flirts with Seymour and encourages him to plant the bomb in the Lakeport Library. Her real identity is never revealed.

Natalie is one of the children who helps Zeno stage Cloud Cuckoo Land. As an adult, she teaches Latin and Greek to children. She also helps Seymour complete Zeno’s translation of the story.

Rachel is one of the children who performs Cloud Cuckoo Land. She is also Konstance’s grandmother.

Kalaphates is the violent and fickle master of Anna and Maria’s convent. He is responsible for injuring Maria and flees the city when the Ottomans begin their siege.

Omeir’s mother is terrified when she first gives birth to Omeir because of his cleft palate. However, she eventually comes to love him.

Grandfather is Omeir’s grandfather. He is an encouraging and kind man, who insists that Omeir to go out and explore the world.

Licinius is Anna’s tutor. Although he dismisses Anna at first, he quickly grows fond of her because of her eagerness to learn. When he dies, he gifts Anna with his prized manuscripts.

Pastor White acts as a sort of father figure for Zeno after Zeno’s father dies. In part, this is because he has a temporary romance with Mrs. Boydstun.

Ethan is Konstance’s father. Ethan is great with plants and is slightly less concerned with the Argos’s rules than some of the other adults on the ship. Whenever the pandemic breaks out, Ethan’s primary concern is Konstance, who he manages to save, even while dying himself.

Janet is a girl who Seymour dates in high school, who is attracted to him because of his interest in the environment. However, Janet stops spending time with Seymour when his beliefs turn into actions.

Konstance’s mother always conforms to Sybil’s rules and wants to make sure Konstance is behaving. She is the first member of Konstance’s family to get sick when the pandemic starts.

Elliot Fischenbacher is a man who supposedly went crazy and tried to destroy the Argos and kill everyone. In reality, he was the first person to discover that the Argos was still on Earth.

Himerius is a rebellious youth in Constantinople. He recruits Anna and the two of them sell manuscripts from a ruined priory to the Italians.

Theodora is one of the women in Anna and Maria’s convent who often sends Anna on errands.

Sharif is the librarian at the Lakeport Library. Seymour shoots him in the shoulder.

Marian is a librarian at the Lakeport Library. She is away picking up pizza when Seymour brings in the bomb.

Theodora is one of the women in Anna and Maria’s convent who often sends Anna on errands.

Tree is one of Omeir’s prized cows.

Moonlight is one of Omeir’s prized cows.

Maher is a young man who Omeir meets during the siege of Constantinople.

Private Blewitt serves with Zeno in the Korean War.

Ezekiel Lee is the first person to get sick on the Argos.

Mrs. Lee is Ezekiel Lee’s mother.

Mr. Bates is one of Seymour’s teacher. He is not sensitive to Seymour’s needs, which eventually causes Seymour to have a breakdown.

Hillary is Rex’s romantic partner. He has a wry sense of humor and is understanding of Rex’s relationship with Zeno.

Bishop is the leader of the eco-terrorist group Seymour joins.

Patti is a student in Mr. Bates’s class. Her taunting partially results in Seymour’s breakdown.

Dr. Pori is a doctor on the Argos who dies during the pandemic.

Alex is one of the children who helps Zeno stage Cloud Cuckoo Land.

Nida is Omeir’s only living sister by the time Omeir turns three years old.

Athena is Zeno’s first dog, who dies while he is away in the Korean War.

Luther is one of Zeno’s dogs.

Nestor is one of Zeno’s dogs.

Mrs. Chen is a teacher on the Argos.

Amani is Omeir’s older sister, who dies when Omeir is young.