Vertical

A Novel

By: Rex Pickett

Narrated by: Scott Brick

The follow-up novel to the blockbuster Sideways, the basis of a major motion picture, tracks the continuing story of Miles Raymond and his buddy Jack.

It’s seven years later. Miles has written a novel that has been made into a wildly successful movie, and the movie has changed his life. Jack, contrarily, is divorced, has a kid, and is on the skids. Phyllis, Miles’ mom, has suffered a stroke that’s left her wheelchair-bound and wasting away in assisted living. She desperately wants to live with her sister in Wisconsin. When Miles gets invited to be master of ceremonies at the International Pinot Festival in Oregon, he hatches a harebrained road trip. With Jack as his copilot, he leases a handicapped-equipped van, hires a pot-smoking Filipina caretaker, and, with his mother’s rascally Yorkie in tow, they take off for Wisconsin via Oregon’s fabled Willamette Valley.

This is a road novel for the smart set and wine lovers, and it is anything but predictable.

©2010 Loose Gravel Press (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Better, richer than Sideways." (Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter)

"Rex Pickett shows that his gift for creating wildly funny scenes is quite intact.…The book is laugh-out-loud funny." ( New York Journal of Books)

"Had me alternately laughing and crying through this hilarious, heartbreaking, and ultimately moving meditation on fame, friendship, and family. Vertical managed to break my heart and then put it back together again, piece by piece…and should abolish any lingering doubts whether the author just got ‘lucky’ with Sideways. This is a work to be both admired and savored like the great Willamette Valley Pinots Miles exults over." ( Forth magazine)

Good story

Even though there are three books in the series, Vertical seems like a proper ending for Miles and Jack and his mom. The story had some great moments, and was quite the adventure from Los Angeles to Sheboygan Wisconsin.

Excellent!!!

I loved this audiobook, sideways is one of my favorite movies and always wondered what happened to Miles. This was a great to ending to one of my favorite fictional characters. Thank you for writing this book!!

Good but at times boring

First Brick was good at narrating. He reminded me of Giamatti.

Now the storyline I was mixed. The mom stuff made this sequel into a drama. The ending was good.

If they do make a movie omit mom stuff and he n jack do a wine road trip through Oregon after her funeral.

As a female I relate to Miles and Im abt to start Sideways Chile

Too much unrefined sex

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, like every other sentence had talk of miles ejaculating it seemed like.

What do you think your next listen will be?

?

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

In this book no favorite. Brick is good, but miles seems like a completely different person from the miles in "sideways". As does jack. But miles is particularly unlikeable. He's sex obsessed. Treats everyone badly. And especially says mean things to his mom.
Just wayyyyyy to much sex going on with super hot young chicks and miles. Seems like the author is living vicariously thru miles. And it's told in a way that comes off as creepy. Not sensual.
Or maybe I'm missing somethjg?

Do you think Vertical needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I didn't think sideways did. But I welcomed a new novel with miles and jack. Ultimately I didn't like the direction the characters lives had taken.

Any additional comments?

A dissapointment. Seems a contrived plot to facilitate another road trip.
The characters aren't consistent with sideways and too much sex not portrayed very sexily.

Exquisite

I have been a fan of the first book and film for years and was always afraid to read the sequel. I feared that if it was not as good, my memory of the first would forever be tainted. I finally fought through my fears and am so pleased I did. What a wonderful story. So full of ups and downs, laughs and tears. Heart warming at its very core. Phenomenal book.

Now I know why it's titled, "Vertical..."

Similar aspects to Sideways, but this story takes on a life of its own down the line. Really respect the author's courage to go there.

Love the road-trip!

I love the narration alongside beautiful writing! Vertical features excellent quirky comedy that sideways offered but it also touches raw emotions! Lovely book - I thoroughly enjoyed the full narration. Thank you!

A Worthy Sequel

Funny, then poignant. Expertly narrated. A celebration of indulgence and an exploration of human imperfection.

Surprised Me

As others have mentioned in reviews, the endless tales of Miles’ sexual conquests grew tiring and repetitive, and seemed unnecessary. The story also dragged on and stagnated in parts. However, looking back on it and considering the way it all ended, this was actually a very good audiobook, and I was sorry when it was over. The narrator did an excellent job and the ending both surprised me and left me with an appreciation for the depth of what the author was trying to do throughout the story.

Drink it in!

This calamitous journey is bookended with a beautiful mother son story not to be missed.
To say I am enraptured by Rex Pickett’s prose in both Sideways and Vertical would not be an understatement.
Thank you for invoking such a range of emotions while reading.