Cloud Cuckoo Land

Homer’s Odyssey is referenced many times in this book. Discuss how The Odyssey relates to one or two of the main characters or Aethon’s story, especially in regards to the hero’s and fool’s journey archetypes.

The value of translation and reading old stories is central to this book. How can we learn from old stories? What are the benefits and difficulties associated with translating and modernizing old texts?

How does the dynamic parallel plot structure of this book function? Why might the author have organized the story this way?

How and why does the author blend elements of science fiction and fantasy genres to tell the story? How does Aethon’s story fit into these genre classifications?

Zeno and Seymour occupy the same timeline but only meet each other at the end of the book. Why doesn’t their meeting occur earlier? How does this affect their timeline?

Select one of the five main characters and discuss how they feel different from those around them, based on their distinguishing characteristics. How does this relate to their coming-of-age plot?

Seymour is an anti-hero figure. Do his actions at the end of the book transform him into a different character type? Why or why not?

Discuss some of the details that unify the different plotlines and how they relate to the thematic and symbolic development of the book.