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Sideways

by Rex Pickett

Sideways Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Sideways is the story of two friends-Miles and Jack-going away together for the last time to steep themselves in everything that makes it good to be young and single: pinot, putting, and prowling bars. In the week before Jack plans to marry, the pair heads out from Los Angeles to the Santa Ynez wine country. For Jack, the tasting tour is Seven Days to D-Day, his final stretch of freedom. For Miles--who has divorced his wife, is facing an uncertain career and has lost his passion for living-the trip is a weeklong opportunity to evaluate his past, his future and himself. A raucous and surprising novel filled with wonderful details about wine, Sideways is also a thought-provoking and funny book about men, women, and human relationships.

Review:

"Two old friends set out for a weeklong romp through Santa Ynez, Calif., wine country that comically strains their friendship in Pickett's lively debut. Smart, hapless narrator Miles is divorced and broke, and his novel's been rejected all over town. His handsome, 'ursine' best friend, Jack, a successful actor, is about to get married, and wants to enjoy a few last days of freedom. Pickett gleefully chronicles their many minor adventures, including the oversexed Jack's attempts at getting laid, a boar-hunting episode and a staged car accident. Add to that massive amounts of wine: oenophile Miles swills rather than sips, and Jack's always been a party guy. While Jack works his charm on the ladies, Miles has his own flirtation with a lovely waitress. Miles can be a delightful narrator, but he's no prince: he's a bore when it comes to wine, for example, and he can get a little pseudophilosophical ('photos mock the present by staring back at us with their immutable luster of our youthful past'). He also thinks nothing of snatching a couple thousand dollars from his alcoholic mother on her birthday. But redemption for all is promised and Pickett takes his readers on a jolly ride. His novel sounds like a perfect buddy flick, and indeed, it will have its chance: Alexander Payne (About Schmidt; Election) is directing it for Fox Searchlight. Agents, Dan Strone and Marti Blumenthal at Writers and Artists. (June 16)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"A fresh take... credit screenwriter Pickett for coming up with a debut that goes some distance... Skillful work about a friendship between two ultimately likeable guys."
(Kirkus Reviews)

Review:

"[A] lively debut... Pickett takes his readers on a jolly ride."
(Publishers Weekly)

Review:

"A buddy novel in the cinematic vein of Swingers... Pickett plays the sex-and-the-single man angle for all its worth here, nodding occasionally at such larger themes as friendship and romance. Call it Nick Hornby lite."
(Booklist)

Synopsis:

"Sideways is the story of the journey of best friends Miles and Jack as they leave Los Angeles for Santa Ynez wine country and Jack's impending nuptials. For Jack, the trip represents his final days of freedom. For Miles, who has divorced his wife, lost both his money and his passion for life, the weeklong road trip becomes an opportunity to evaluate his past, his future, and himself. A raucous road trip steeped in wonderful details about wine, "Sideways is a thought-provoking and funny novel about men, friendships, and human relationships. "Sideways is Alexander Payne's next feature for Fox Searchight Pictures. Payne is the director of "About Schmidt, Election, and "Citizen Ruth.

About the Author

Rex Pickett lives in Los Angeles, CA. This is his first novel.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780312324667
Author:
Pickett, Rex
Publisher:
St. Martin's Griffin
Location:
New York
Subject:
California
Subject:
Man-woman relationships
Subject:
Automobile travel
Subject:
Psychological fiction
Subject:
Divorced men
Subject:
Humorous fiction
Subject:
Adventure fiction
Subject:
Male friendship
Subject:
Movie-TV Tie-In - General
Subject:
Movie or Television Tie-In
Subject:
Media Tie-In - General
Copyright:
Edition Description:
1st St. Martin's Griffin ed.
Series Volume:
38
Publication Date:
June 2004
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
8.26x5.58x.96 in. .72 lbs.

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