Friday Explorations Read Aloud: "The Sheltering Sky" by Paul Bowles, Read by Joseph Coté

Every Friday, at 11:00 am, on the library’s KZbin Channel and Facebook Page, the library will stream a brand new recording of local thespian, Joseph Coté reading aloud selections from a wide variety of fascinating and entertaining books of fiction and non-fiction.
For April 12, Coté will read aloud from Paul Bowles’ novel The Sheltering Sky.
The Modern Library’s 100 Best Books of the Century
Summary: A landmark of twentieth-century literature. Paul Bowles examines the ways in which Americans’ incomprehension of alien cultures leads to the ultimate destruction of those cultures.
Port and Kit Moresby, an American couple of independent means, have been traveling aimlessly for 12 years. By the time they reach Morocco, they have become disaffected and alienated. They take up with a series of unreliable rootless wanderers.
On a trip to the interior, Port contracts typhoid fever-out of apathy he has neglected to be vaccinated-and dies. Kit has an affair with an Arab and joins his household, but their relationship soon falls apart. Kit is found and returned to Oran. She is teetering on the brink of insanity and finds an opportunity to disappear into the crowded bazaar.
The Sheltering Sky, first novel by Paul Bowles, published in 1948. Considered a model of existential fiction, it sold well and was a critical success. The novel was described by the author as “an adventure story in which the adventures take place on two planes simultaneously: in the actual desert, and in the inner desert of the spirit.” Bowles’ cool, detached prose contrasts with the increasingly violent and irrational events of the novel.
Thoughts to share? Book ideas to suggest?
Leave a comment below or contact Joseph at [e-mail]

[@marypladsen5231]

I love this book as well. The movie is good too. Debra Winger is an unsung heroine.

[@josephcote3939]

I wanted to pack my bags and take off for the desert or perhaps to the Bowles neighborhood of the Tangier Casbah for 50 years.

[@redwingblackbirdnell]

and, the author of The Sheltering Sky, as recalled, had a vignette in the film portraying a cafe patron.

[@josephcote3939]

Hello .... Thank you for your comment. Sadly, the first part of your sentence (or perhaps the first part of the last of many sentences) somehow did not make its way to our screen. Would you be so kind to send the first part relating to the "cafe patron"? .... Joseph

[@redwingblackbirdnell]

Hello Joseph, thank you for your query. To clarify, my first comment ( deleted ) was an appreciation, after discovering your delightful program, and most enjoyable expression of dedication to literature. My remarks, however, were addressed initially to ' Paul '.not yourself..so in haste just erased my mistake and tagged on the bit about Boles having an appearance in the film.

[@redwingblackbirdnell]

Hello~hmm sent a reoly this evening..however it seems to be missing.

[@redwingblackbirdnell]

As it happens..twice have sent two comments..as reply..but they don't stay on page.

[@CamdenPublicLibraryPrograms]

@@redwingblackbirdnell We see your comment this time! Thank you!