Sideways by Rex Pickett

A friend left Sideways (Amazon, £8.99) here at New Year and I've been meaning to read it since then. A couple of days ago I delved in and read it in a couple of days.

It is the story of Miles and Jack and a road trip they take through the Santa Ynez wine region of California to celebrate and commiserate Jack's looming marriage. At times funny, the book charts a course through the events which take place the week before the wedding. It gives insight into the seemingly successful but delusional Jack and the failed, almost broken and undoubtedly alcoholic Miles as they cling onto the past bonding, like junkies, only through successively more pathetic events. Only reluctantly, and in some cases by accident, are fresh beginnings seized. And only once every other opportunity to wallow in the mire has been exhausted.

I thought this was a pretty amusing book with fairly tragic characters. The back cover says that it is "thought provoking" and it certainly is that. It also says it is raucous and surprising. I don't know that I found it particularly surprising but it certainly had its raucous moments. The story of the book is surprising, seemingly partly autobiographical the author spills his soul into Miles with the same abandon that Miles spills wine into himself. In vino veritas?

I'm told that the movie of the film starts slowly but is a definite must-see. I'm also told that the movie improves upon the novel. I'm planning to see it soon so I'll post my thoughts when I have - the Sideways DVD is out on the 16th of May. I'd say that the book is definitely worth a read though.

The incidental wine references have been talked about much and they do add a little to the book, though this is by no means a wine textbook. It might endear to you a tasting trip however. Pick your companion wisely.

Posted by Paul in Recommended Books Entertainment at April 13, 2005 05:29 AM | 0 Comments