Vertical (novel)

Vertical is a 2010 novel by Rex Pickett. It is the sequel to the novel Sideways.^[1][2][3]

Plot

Taking place seven years after the events of Sideways, the sequel continues the story of Miles and Jack. During the interim Miles has at last found success with the publication of a novel entitled Shameless, which was a fictional, though mostly autobiographical, recounting of his adventures with Jack in Santa Ynez wine country the week before the latter's wedding. Due to the enormous popularity of the film adaptation Miles now finds himself an in-demand guest speaker who is raking in vast sums of money and carrying on many sexual escapades with various women. Jack, on the other hand, has seen his fortunes decline. His marriage ended due to his numerous infidelities, he has only limited visitation rights with his son, and his career as a television director is suffering due to his increasing problems with alcohol.

The plot swings into action when Miles agrees to take his ailing mother, Phyllis, to live with her sister in Wisconsin. Several years prior to the start of the novel Phyllis suffered a debilitating stroke, and while recuperating in the hospital she suffered a heart attack, which was followed by congestive heart failure not long after that. Miles had no other choice but to have her committed to an assisted living facility, where she is absolutely miserable. Miles decides to turn the trip back east into a sort of mini-vacation for his parent. He convinces Jack to tag along as wingman, hires a pot-smoking Filipina caretaker to attend to his mother, and recovers Phyllis's beloved Yorkie, Snapper, from one of his ex-girlfriends. The motley crew then sets out on a trek that takes them up the California coastline and to Oregon's legendary Willamette Valley for a wine festival. Though there are many hilarious and harrowing misadventures along the way, the trip ultimately represents the last chance for mother and son to make peace with each other.

References