16 December 2009

Short Review: Sideways by Rex Pickett

You may have seen the movie, but have you read the book? Sideways by Rex Pickett is much better in print than it was in film. It is the story of two friends who go on a week-long road trip to the Santa Ynez wine country in California.

The men are in opposite places in their lives. Miles, wine connoisseur and wannabe author is divorced and has a dark outlook on life. Jack, a minor Hollywood actor, is just about to get married and has a anything-goes attitude.

Sideways takes a look at wine, friendship, and relationships between men and women. Here's a look at my notes from 2006: "The characters are more fully developed in the book than in the movie, and I understand Miles and Jack much better. The story is funny and interesting, but also a bit depressing. In the end, however, there is hope."

The cover is from the 2005 Blackstone Audio edition read by Scott Brick, who did terrific job on the narration. (Source: Bought; see review policy)

Sideways at Powell's
Sideways at Amazon
These 3 links lead to affiliate programs.


Reading at the Beach is the host for this meme: Each week she invites us to spotlight a book whose title begins with the featured letter. This week it's S.

23 comments:

Amy 12/16/09, 7:22 AM  

I really enjoyed the movie. I think I might check out the book too.

Beth(bookaholicmom) 12/16/09, 10:30 AM  

I missed both the book and the movie! It sounds like an interesting story. I may have to read the book first.

Joyful 12/16/09, 11:43 AM  

Sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing

Sherrie 12/16/09, 12:18 PM  

Hi Beth,
Sounds good! Have read or seen the movie. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!

Sherrie
Just Books

Sandy Nawrot 12/16/09, 12:28 PM  

Being a whino, of course I saw this at the movies and so loved it. I just shook my head at the last scene, when he is in the diner, drinking a $200 bottle of wine out of a styrofoam cup! Unfortunately for all of us that like Pinot Noir, it raised the prices tenfold. I'd love to read the book. Hmmm...

Anonymous,  12/16/09, 12:39 PM  

Haven't heard of the movie or the book. oh dear... I'll probably like the book better :)

Beth 12/16/09, 1:31 PM  

Isn't the book always better than the movie?

Anonymous,  12/16/09, 2:03 PM  

I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but I too find that in general, most books are better than the movie!!

Thanks for playing this week!

bermudaonion 12/16/09, 2:34 PM  

I really liked this movie and had no idea it was a book. I'll have to add this to my wish list.

Dorte H 12/16/09, 3:09 PM  

If the story is worth while at all, it is usually much better in print than on the screen :D

Margot 12/16/09, 5:09 PM  

I'm sitting right here in wine country. I should check both book and movie out. That would also be good for my book/movie challenge next year.

Nise' 12/16/09, 8:09 PM  

The movie was just okay for me, glad to know the book was better.

Irene 12/16/09, 8:21 PM  

I misses the movie, so glad you recommended the book, by far a preferred source for me.

Yvonne 12/16/09, 8:43 PM  

I think I saw the movie and the book sounds really good.

Stephanie 12/16/09, 9:28 PM  

This sounds interesting. I remember being disappointed by the movie, but feeling like there was a good story there that wasn't fully developed.

me again 12/16/09, 11:20 PM  

Somehow, I have managed to never see this movie. And now, I think I'll read the book first! Thanks!
If you want to have a look, here's my S book.
:-)
==lennie==

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) 12/16/09, 11:24 PM  

I saw the movie but I really was to young to understand wine at the time, so I didn't get a lot of it. I bet that I would enjoy this book now!

Literary Feline 12/17/09, 1:20 AM  

My husband really liked the movie, but honestly, I'm not sure this is his kind of book. I didn't care for the movie myself. I'll have to consider trying the book.

Jenners 12/17/09, 7:22 PM  

Gosh..it has been awhile since I saw the movie ... I remember liking it but not all that much about it. I might add this to my list.

sanjeet 12/18/09, 3:09 PM  

! It sounds like an interesting story. I may have to read the book first.

Work from home India

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks 12/20/09, 9:30 AM  

I'll second what Kathy said - I liked the movie and didn't realize it was based on a book!

Anonymous,  12/21/09, 12:20 AM  

I wasn't that crazy about the movie, but maybe I'd like the book. The movie did make me think twice about ordering Merlot with dinner for awhile :)

Unknown 12/25/09, 5:24 AM  

Thanks, Beth. A lot of people thought "Sideways" was a sort of cinematic Immaculate Conception. When, in truth, there was a book behind it. A pretty fine one, I'm told. -- Rex

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