The Sheltering Skyis a book about people on the edge of an alien space; somewhere, where, curiously, they are never alone. Michael Hoffman Port and Kit Moresbury, a sophisticated American couple, are finding it more than a little difficult to live with each other. Endeavouring to escape this predicament, they set off for North Africa intending to travel through Algeria - uncertain of exactly where they are heading, but determined to leave the modern world behind. The results of this casually taken decision are horrible.