Sideways: A Novel by Rex Pickett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Sideways: A Novel
Book Review: Getting sideways with two grape nuts.
Summary: 4 Stars
"I'm a very happily single man," the narrator of Rex Pickett's debut novel says. "A glass of wine, a crusty piece of baguette, a good book, and I'm fine" (p. 25).
I read Pickett's novel after seeing the 2004 Academy and Golden Globe winning film adaptation. With a couple more plot twists, it tells the story of two longtime friends who travel to Santa Ynez wine country for a week-long adventure together. The cynical narrator, Miles (played by Paul Giamatti in the film) is a struggling writer and an oenophile, divorced but still in love with his recently remarried ex-wife, Victoria. His soon-to-be-married actor friend, Jack (played by Thomas Haden Church) is a suave party guy. Whereas Miles wants nothing more than to spend the week drinking wine, eating haute cuisine, playing golf, and sending Jack off with panache, Jack is only interested in getting laid one last time. Miles and Jack are similar in many ways that are not so obvious at first, the male grape-geek versions of Thelma and Louise, and reminscient of every bad date known to women. Miles is addicted to wine, Jack to sex. Miles is no stranger to his "dark side," and what Jack lacks in depth he makes up for with his libido.
Soonafter arriving in wine country, while consuming massive amounts of wine (pinot noir, to be exact), they meet world-weary Maya (played by Virginia Madsen), a waitress at Miles' favorite restaurant, the Hitching Post, and her earthy friend, Terra (played by Sandra Oh), a sexy winery employee. Neither is aware of Jack's impending nuptials. When Jack pursues a sexual relationship with Terra, and Miles pursues a casual interest in Maya, their friendship is strained to the limits and they become frustrated with each other. When Miles discovers Jack has paid Maya $1000 to seduce him, his friendship with Jack reaches its breaking point. In the end, Sideways is as much about friendship as finding the meaning in one's own life. If you liked the movie, you'll love the book.
G. Merritt
Book Review: Gives a good laugh.. and a good craving for fine wine
Summary: 4 Stars
funny and a very good story.
i loved the characters.
and i now love pinot noir more then i could imagine
Book Review: Great fun to read
Summary: 4 Stars
There are some negative reviews listed here. Don't pay attention to them. This book is a lot of fun. I saw the movie first and decided to read the book. There are some plot changes in the book which definitely make it worth reading after watching the movie.Book Review: Hilarious, good fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the most fun I have ever had reading a book. Ever. I sat at my kitchen table for two nights in a row (until the book was finished) with a glass of Pinot Noir in hand. I found myself laughing out loud at every other page. Pickett is a clever writer who offers hilarious commentary and wit at every turn. Miles Raymond, the narrator, is depressed and sarcastic and truly/darkly funny. He reminds me, quite fondly, of a male version of Dolores Price (from Wally Lamb's "She's Come Undone").
Pickett is also a word nerd of sorts, so if you are into "collecting vocabulary," you are almost sure to learn some new things here. Oh, and of course, there are handfuls of wine facts at your disposal.
The movie was sensational, but the the book (as per usual) is even better. I was glad to have seen the movie first, because it made imagining the book's characters all the more hilarious (Giamatti and Church were sensational as Miles and Jack).
I cannot help but laugh at a reviewer who was offended by the fact that the two main characters are winos ("who promote drinking and driving"!). That is what the book is about! Take away the drinking and debauchery and you are left with something that never would have been published. This is not a book for those readers who make the mistake of taking life too seriously. This is meant to be a good time, and it is. It is not a how-to manual, but a fantastic work of fiction. This is a book I will certainly read again and again--because everybody needs to get a little sideways now and then. Cheers.
Book Review: How could the movie really be topped anyway?
Summary: 3 Stars
I agree with those who say the film was superior to the novel. There's no quantifying the chemistry and humanity that Paul Giamatti and Thomas Hayden Church brought to the roles. Much of the humor of the film seems sucked away in the novel and we are left largely with a travelogue of wine country. I don't regret reading the novel, however, and I would be quick to pick up anything else Pickett cares to write. My sense is that he is probably aware of the comparisons and has taken them to heart. I look forward to the future for this guy.