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52 pages 1 hour read

The Sheltering Sky

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1949

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Book Brief

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Paul Bowles

The Sheltering Sky

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1949
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

North Africa • 1940s

Publication Year

1949

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles follows an American couple, Port and Kit Moresby, traveling through post-World War II North Africa alongside their friend Tunner. Seeking greater self-understanding, they journey deeper into the Sahara Desert, encountering tension, existential despair, cultural clashes, and personal tragedy along the way. The narrative explores profound themes against the backdrop of North Africa's vast desert landscapes. References to rape, violence, and forced captivity of a female character are present.

Mysterious

Melancholic

Dark

Contemplative

Unnerving

Reviews & Readership

4.0

30,703 ratings

69%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles offers a haunting exploration of existential angst set in the Sahara Desert. Critics praised its vivid prose and atmospheric settings but noted that its complex themes and detached characters may not appeal to all readers. Those fascinated by psychological depth and profound isolation will find it compelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sheltering Sky?

Readers who enjoy existential and philosophical themes, immersive and evocative prose, and settings that explore cultural dislocation would appreciate The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles. Fans of Albert Camus' The Stranger and Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises will find this narrative compelling and thought-provoking.

4.0

30,703 ratings

69%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Porter "Port" Moresby

A financially and culturally privileged man who travels in search of meaning after inheriting wealth. He sees himself as a traveler rather than a tourist and is characterized by his existential wanderings and complex interactions with other cultures.

Port's wife, who struggles with anxiety and self-absorption, and finds herself grappling with her identity and dependency on Port. Her journey is marked by the pursuit of self-awareness and navigating the challenges in her relationship with Port.

A secondary character perceived through the eyes of Port and Kit, known for his adaptability and charm. He harbors an attraction to Kit and plays a significant role in the dynamics between the main characters.

A British mother and son who act as foils to the American characters, bringing elements of moral degeneracy and deceit. Their presence complicates the central relationships and underscores themes of cultural tension and decadence.

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

North Africa • 1940s

Publication Year

1949

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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