The Sheltering Sky follows the story of Kit and Port Moresby, an American couple who travel to North Africa in the late 1940s to explore the region. They arrive in Tangier, Morocco, where they meet their friend George, a British expat. Together, the three decide to embark on a journey into the Sahara desert.
As they journey deeper into the desert, they become increasingly immersed in the exotic and unfamiliar culture around them. However, the vast and unforgiving landscape begins to take its toll on the couple's physical and mental health. Kit becomes increasingly restless and detached from reality, while Port becomes increasingly distant and preoccupied with his own thoughts.
As they struggle to cope with the unfamiliar surroundings, the couple grows increasingly isolated and alienated from one another, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including prostitutes, thieves, and a mysterious nomadic guide.
The Sheltering Sky is a haunting and elegiac exploration of the human condition and the fragility of the human psyche. It is a powerful and evocative portrayal of a couple who are lost in an unfamiliar and hostile environment, and who must ultimately confront the darkness within themselves if they hope to survive.