Scan barcode
suzzeb22's review against another edition
4.0
The Sheltering Sky is one of those surreal stories that seems impenetrable but after reading and reflecting on it I found myself enjoying it more and more. Bowles is a good writer and Kit is a fascinating character. Of course the Africa of that time period is so inviting, I had to read about it. I felt that he did a good job with descriptions and was able to give you a sense of the players in the novel without over-explaining their actions.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fantastic book, but I can't completely explain why.
In many ways, it's simple: three Americans, a married couple and their friend, travel to postwar North Africa; they eat, drink, have sex, and exist, in various states of discomfort, in the desert. And that's kind of it.
But it's also the most complex character portrait I've ever read: Kit undergoes a startling amount of change, but it's never unbelievable or false. And Bowles's handle on atmosphere and environment is brilliant: his writing is a gorgeous fever-dream depiction of a specific place at a specific time. It is a book arid in temperature and lush with humanity.
The trouble our trio encounters is sometimes of their own making, and while I feel that there are times they are not in control of their environments and conflicts, there are other times during which they seem to make specific choices to leave, to stay, to act.
Also, the ending of this book (the last few lines) is one of the most perfect book endings I've ever read.
Jennifer Connelly narrates, and, overall, she does a good job. Her voice is quiet and unassuming, which fits perfectly, though her English accent is neither good nor consistent; so when she reads dialogue from Eric Lyle and his mother, it's awkward. Luckily there's not much of it.
In many ways, it's simple: three Americans, a married couple and their friend, travel to postwar North Africa; they eat, drink, have sex, and exist, in various states of discomfort, in the desert. And that's kind of it.
But it's also the most complex character portrait I've ever read: Kit undergoes a startling amount of change, but it's never unbelievable or false. And Bowles's handle on atmosphere and environment is brilliant: his writing is a gorgeous fever-dream depiction of a specific place at a specific time. It is a book arid in temperature and lush with humanity.
The trouble our trio encounters is sometimes of their own making, and while I feel that there are times they are not in control of their environments and conflicts, there are other times during which they seem to make specific choices to leave, to stay, to act.
Also, the ending of this book (the last few lines) is one of the most perfect book endings I've ever read.
Jennifer Connelly narrates, and, overall, she does a good job. Her voice is quiet and unassuming, which fits perfectly, though her English accent is neither good nor consistent; so when she reads dialogue from Eric Lyle and his mother, it's awkward. Luckily there's not much of it.
harrymclellan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ericfheiman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first read this in my 20s and was equally smitten this go-round in my 50s, though for different reasons. It’s still a strange book—barely believable from a plot standpoint but emotionally compelling with a haunting conclusion. Bowles seems to be using the North African locale to plumb the repressions of Western society. I suppose one could level accusations of colonialism and an over-exoticizing of the region from a white perspective, even if Bowles lived in Tangiers most of his life and is no tourist. But dismissing the book on those grounds would deprive one of a memorable reading experience. Their loss.
amkclaes's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kind of a gut punch read, starts off pretty funny with these totally airhead characters and their interesting dynamic and ends in a very haunting way, very cynical about humanity, beautifully written
betseyboo's review against another edition
5.0
The moment I finished a collection of Paul Bowles short stories I picked up this book. I'm so glad that I did. It was an amazing story. I really recommend this book.
hjfritz27's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
b0hemian_graham's review against another edition
3.0
it's well written, but it was a total chore to read, especially the whole rape fantasy second half. Kit is a moron.
ridanwise's review against another edition
3.0
What a chore. It’s not in the crafting of the book itself but rather in its content. Not what I was in the mood for. Not what I would ever be in the mood for.
nonpopulus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5