Descent to Bahia by the eminent French writer Matthieu Peck is a lyrical, reflective and, at times, cynical novel that follows a young journalist's trip from Paris to Bahia, Brazil, to write an article about his friend, the artist Pol Taburet. It is a novel about art, friendship and a man's journey to find himself. Influenced by the author's own friendship with Pol Taburet, this edition—Peck's third novel and the first to be translated into English—includes drawings from the artist.
A young journalist, Martin Reger, leaves Paris for Bahia, Brazil, to write an article about his friend, the artist, Pol Taburet. Part travel journal, part art world diary, Descent to Bahia follows Martin as he wanders from the painter's studio, through the streets of Salvador, to the jungle. Blending humour with a precise sense of critique, Martin cynically observes tourists, press trips, and the contemporary art market that surrounds him. Descent to Bahia is a subtle sketch of a down-and-out man who, through adventure and camaraderie, comes back to life and finds freedom. With this brilliantly lyrical and reflective novel, Peck confirms his talent as one of the eminent French writers of his generation.
Matthieu Peck (born 1989 in Drancy, France) is a writer acclaimed for his original and uncompromising language, which distinctively blends references to seventeenth-century moralists with contemporary poetry, forging a unique voice in modern French literature. Both his debut novel Déjà les mouches (2023) and its successor, Descente à Bahia (2025), were published by Éditions Gallimard, quickly establishing his reputation. Peck's thematic explorations often delve into underground subcultures and societal margins, examining the complexities of human experience from unconventional perspectives. His work is consistently hailed within France for its profound originality, stylistic innovation, and fearless engagement with challenging subjects, marking him as one of France's most significant contemporary prose stylists.
