We Are Now Beginning Our Descent by James Meek

James Meek's previous novel, The People's Act of Love, won such critical acclaim it would be hard not to approach his new novel with some trepidation. Undoubtedly drawing on his own experience as a foreign correspondent, We Are Now Beginning Our Descent tells the story of Adam Kellas, journalist and author who, while covering the war on the Taliban in Afghanistan, falls for an American features writer named Astrid. On his return to London, Kellas uses his war experiences as inspiration for his new novel, an airport bestseller, for which he is due to sign the contract in New York. Embittered by divorce and the success of his friends, Kellas embarks on the trip to America with hope that he will secure his publishing deal and find Astrid just as she was. The story flits between countries and cultures, but Meek's prose is no less clear for being slightly fragmented. We Are Now Beginning Our Descent is as much about love as it is about war, plus one man's hope that he will find contentment in himself and with others. Meek's narrative is brisk yet precise and will leave many to wondering how many parallels they can draw with Kellas's story.