BOOZE PRESS BOOKSHELF – VERTICAL (Review)

Since my review of Sideways a couple of weeks ago, a number of people have said to me “I didn’t know there was more than 1 story” Well, as I mentioned, there are actually 3 tales, featuring our intrepid traveler Miles. Jack also plays very prominently in this adventure as well. Vertical begins rather ironically, focusing on the celebrity of Miles, after he has published the adventures that he and Jack experienced in Sideways (though in Vertical the story is called Shameless) and in a life imitates art moment, the movie made from the book was really the big seller

Where as the first story took place mainly in Santa Barbara Wine Country, this one actually has us travelling across much of the US with a lengthy stop (at least as far the time dedicated to it in the book) in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The story itself revolves around Miles efforts to drive his ailing mother to see her sister in Wisconsin. The wine detour is on the way. Now that we know the characters a little more, unlike Sideways, there are more moments of heart in this volume. We see a softer side to the neurotic character of Miles. Sure, there are plenty of moments where he comes off the rails. But in the end, I think we root for him a little more than in Sideways. I know I did

Vertical is a somewhat more lengthy novel, yet once again focusses primarily on Miles and Jack with 2 supporting female leads. It’s truly a shame that this book has not been given the movie treatment as of yet,. Considering the success of Sideways, it seems like a no brainer. With the right actors (never really cared for Giamatti and Hayden-Church in the lead roles), this could be a excellent dysfunctional road movie. Fingers crossed. Coming up in a couple of weeks, I will look at the third and final volume in the Trilogy. Sideways 3 Chile.

This book receives 4 out 5 glasses. Order here: Vertical