52 pages • 1 hour read
Paul BowlesThe Sheltering Sky
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1949A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.