
The Sheltering Sky
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Saskia Maarleveld
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By:
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Paul Bowles
Audio edition of the landmark of 20th Century literature, by acclaimed author Paul Bowles
“The Sheltering Sky is one of the most original, even visionary, works of fiction to appear in the twentieth century.” —Tobias Wolff
""It stands head and shoulders above most other novels published in English since World War II.” —New Republic
In this classic work of psychological terror, Paul Bowles examines the ways in which Americans apprehend other cultures--and the ways in which their incomprehension destroys them. The story of three American travelers adrift in the cities and deserts of North Africa after World War II, The Sheltering Sky is at once merciless and heartbreaking in its compassion. It etches the limits of human reason and intelligence--perhaps even the limits of human life --when they touch the unfathomable emptiness and impassive cruelty of the dessert.
©1949 Paul Bowles (P)2022 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...




















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great narration. engrossing story
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Port meets a tragic end—not through violence he might have provoked with his erratic behavior, but from disease. His death prompts Kit to wander the desert alone, where she is eventually picked up by an Arab caravan and swept into another grim twist of fate. The theme of travelers and expatriates confronting dangers abroad is well-trodden, explored by writers like Conrad before Bowles. Yet Bowles' portrayal of psychological disintegration remains deeply resonant.
This haunting novel is beautifully written, capturing the fragility of the human psyche against the vastness of an unforgiving landscape. Approach The Sheltering Sky with caution—its exploration of alienation and vulnerability lingers long after the final page.
Skilled, marvelous narration by Saskia Maarleveld.
Gimme Shelter
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This aside, this is a delightful narration of a marvelous story. It is a story that is one of the best examples of the American flavor of Existentialism, in contrast the the more common French Existentialism of writers like Camus and Sarte. The American flavor is poignantly different but still touches on the basic themes of the meaning vs meaninglessness of life, the almost cosmic horror of existence vs death, and a mood that could only be captured by a long time resident of North Africa, as Paul Bowles was. Without having to say it, he creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere of vast emptiness, not only of the desert and sky, but of the soul. One almost feels they can hear the oppressive quiet and wind rustling always present, infecting every aspect of the story.
Be prepared for a hauntingly unsettling ride. There will be no answers, no resolutions handed to you.
This is not an exit.
Classic Work of American 20th Century Fiction
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SKIP INTRO: Spoils entire plot line!
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In search of life’s purpose
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The literary reviews tend to emphasize the despair and angst that drives people like the Bowles and their fictional stand-ins the Harcourts set about by the general malaise brought about by a triumphalist America. That may be true as there tends to be an impulse for young, non-traditionalsist Americans to seek abroad that something that is missing back home. The same is true of the Brits and Aussies who flesh out the characters along with the desert loving French soldiers and administrators who govern French Africa. And while very different, they all seem to have in a common a general loathing for the indigenous people they have chosen to live among, insisting upon maintaining their Western standards of luggage, lodging at food even as they plunge deeper into the less hospitable without even bothering to learn the language of the people they've intruded upon.
Bowles accurately captures this ennui of the far flung expatriate trying to find the place that is uniquely foreign that they can make uniquely theirs always boarding a midnight bus with much to much baggage to find out what is our there on the fathest edge of the map, resolved that they will likely be unhappy there as well.
Well written and narrated by #saskiamaarleveld in #audible .
Fear and Loathing in the Sahara
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Making my first trips to Morocco this year, I decided to listen to it. Love love love this book.
Beautiful. Cerebral.
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Timeless story hampered by poor narration...
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Not my type
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