The authorship of the novel The Sheltering Sky belongs to Paul Bowles. Published in 1949, this work is a significant contribution to twentieth-century literature, exploring themes of existentialism and cultural alienation. The narrative follows the journey of an American couple, Port and Kit Moresby, as they travel through North Africa after World War II, seeking meaning and escape.
The novel’s importance lies in its stark portrayal of the human condition against the backdrop of an unfamiliar and unforgiving landscape. Its benefits for readers include gaining insight into post-war disillusionment and the complexities of human relationships under duress. The historical context of its creation, shortly after a global conflict, provides a lens through which to understand the characters’ anxieties and search for purpose.