Sideways: A Novel by Rex Pickett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sideways: A Novel
Book Review: A Heartfelt, Entertaining, and Provocative Book
Summary: 5 Stars
It's pretty safe to assume that Rex Pickett is definitely pleased with the film adaptation of his book, "Sideways." Alexander Payne's excellent screenplay and direction garnered so much critical praise and attention that a mere semi-independent film was able to receive numerous awards and score an impressive showing at the box office. I remember liking the movie so much I didn't want it to end -- I was ready to watch it again when the lights came up. I decided to pick up the novel, expecting to get the same story; little did I know that there was much more in store.
In case you aren't familiar with the movie, I'll gloss over the basic plot. Miles is a writer, attempting to get a novel published. His best friend, Jack, is an actor, and will soon be getting married. Miles has promised to take Jack on a wine tour of California. During their week-long tour, the two will learn a lot about each other and life in general. Being middle-aged, it will become their ultimate road trip; their last hurrah, if you will (the tag line for the book).
If you're looking for an easy read, then this is one to go for. I will not pretend to be an avid reader of novels, but I don't think that I have quite finished a book so quickly. It's funny, it's charming, and it's touching. I think what attracted me originally to the story were the characters -- mainly the fact that they were so incredibly human. Both Jack and Miles have their flaws, like all of us. But the best part of the writing that Pickett accomplishes is the ability to see ourselves (I'm speaking from a male's POV) in both Miles and Jack. Never have I found two characters more identifiable.
If you are worried that having seen the movie will spoil the book, then fear not: while the movie, for the most part, was a very faithful adaptation, you will be pleased to come across moments that were completely different from scenes in the movie. In fact the characters of Stephanie and Christine (Jack's fiancee) in the movie have been replaced by Terra and Babs, respectively. I suppose Payne changed the names along with the personalities of each -- Terra is a sweeter and more innocent girl than Stephanie (not to mention blonde as opposed to Oriental), but she does have the same mean streak. Babs is the opposite -- she is much more uptight and control than the movie portrayed the character of Christine. And then there's Maya, who has quite a surprise in store for Miles that the movie elected to exclude. In addition, you will also meet Brad. He is one of my favorite characters from the book -- read for yourself to find out more about Brad's character.
Overall, Pickett has done a wonderful job in creating an enjoyable and easy read. Pickett has proven that he has the talent to write about real life situations in an honest and heartfelt way, with a lot of laugh-out moments along the way. Here's a toast to a successful career and many more future works to come.
Book Review: A Rare Instance...
Summary: 5 Stars
In which a book and the subesquent movie are both excellent. It seems logical that most of the time the book is better than the movie. Books are simply more discriptive and there is only so much you can put into a two hour flick. But in this case I would recommend both.
Back in December I went to see the movie and about three quarters thru it the projector went out. So I had no idea how it ended. A few days later I found myself enthralled with the book at my local bookstore. I love this book so much because the characters seem so real to me. Although, you the person reading this book don't know me personally, I can really identify with the Miles character in the book. And I've had friends that remind me of Jack. I'm not a big wine guy, but I sure learned a lot by reading this book.
If you're looking for a fiction book with great characters, a great story and a lot of humor, check Sideways out... And then see the movie ;-)
Book Review: A Truly Good Novel in the tradition of True-Life Humor
Summary: 4 Stars
Rex Pickett has come up with a realistic, funny novel that is in every way as good as the movie. I was inspired to read his book after watching the movie because I thought the movie was so good. His book will leave you laughing in your seat as you picture yourself in similar scenarios we experience through life. I found his book very entertaining and worth my purchase at Barnes and Noble (no offense to amazon.com, I make purchases there, too).
David Lucero, author of THE SANDMAN ([...])
Book Review: A delight for oenophiles, but quaffable for everyone
Summary: 3 Stars
Having of course seen and enjoyed the movie (and marveled at its impact on the wine industry; there's a lot of great affordable merlot now, since the uneducated don't want it any more!), I was curious about the book. As if often the case with books made into movies, the book, unshackled by the de facto ~2 hour time limit, has the opportunity to explore unfilmed scenes and achieve additional depth.
Fundamentally, of course, the book is still most of all a panegyric to wine, most of all pinot noir, and for that reason will be of less interest to those not enthralled by the world's greatest beverage. However, two aspects of the novel should be appreciable by a wider audience: Pickett's delightful wordplay and gift for description, and the timeless question of whether it's possible to change for love.
Just one example, of this archetypical bartender: "He was a quiet man with thinning red hair and a cadaverous face, courtesy of too many bartending jobs breathing other people's cigarettes, bending a tin ear to the incessant palaver of wrecked lives, and enduring countless soul-withering 2:00 a.m. close-ups."
Book Review: A funny and honest novel debut
Summary: 4 Stars
Sideways chronicles a week-long vacation of two friends, Miles and Jack, filled with wine tastings, adventure, and women. Jack is getting married at the end of the week and wants to have "one last hurrah" with his best friend and best man Miles.
Miles is the narrator of the novel, a recently divorced aspiring writer. He is a unique character damaged by the divorce and the many rejections from publishers. He has his extreme ups and downs throughout the novel.
Pickett is very knowledgeable about wine and the novel focuses on that knowledge with the detailed descriptions and expertise of each tasting.
As a 20-year-old, I wasn't the target audience for this novel. As I read I was occasionally bored by the wine descriptions and the antics of older men, but I enjoyed the novel nonetheless. It was funny and exciting and at times even a little bit suspenseful. The relationships are interesting and the dialogue honest.
I have read that the movie that was made from this novel is better than novel itself. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the chemistry between the actors supposedly adds more to the movie than Pickett can put on paper.