Sideways New Zealand - by Rex Pickett

Book Synopsis

From bestselling author Rex Pickett comes Sideways New Zealand, the next delightfully dark and funny novel in the Sideways series.

Miles Raymond thought things were going relatively well.

Miles, the now iconic alter ego of author Rex Pickett--who was first introduced in the critically acclaimed book Sideways and its award-winning movie adaptation--resurfaces on the South Island of New Zealand. All he has in life is a half hectare of Pinot Noir, a guest cottage where his days are numbered, a special needs cat named Max, and a winemaker partner pressing him for a more committed relationship.

These modest assets are balanced by the impending publication of Miles's new novel, A Year of Pure Feeling. His fledgling publicist has arranged for a book tour that will take Miles along the east coast of New Zealand, from Oamaru to Auckland, to a series of increasingly interesting Kiwi book clubs. In a six-ton camper van! In the winter!

Jack Manse, after a divorce and a financial disaster, has reinvented himself and gleefully volunteers to copilot, too delighted at the prospect of a road trip and a reunion with Miles to heed his friend's objections.

Alternately blackly comical and poignantly heartbreaking, what started as a book tour through New Zealand becomes a journey through Miles's soul.

Review Quotes

"With a vigorous tone, Scott Brick portrays Miles's generally teed-off demeanor and is especially impressive when delivering the rapid-fire diatribes that make the listener wonder if Miles swallowed a thesaurus...An intense, fun jaunt."