Nerds That Geek Book Review: 'Sideways 3 Chile'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When it comes to books, there are no boundaries as to what an author can explore. They can take us to wondrous places that allow our spirits to soar, or take us on an emotional journey, the kind where a box of Kleenex is required to go with your reading experience. Or, if you're Author Rex Pickett, you can take all of that one step further and take us through a vivid slice of everyday life.

Rex's work is quintessential reading when it comes to life at middle age and his Sideways series has always brought forth a raw and visceral experience when it comes to the life and times of Miles Raymond and what he goes through as he ages. In many ways, Sideways and Vertical serve as life manuals; reminding us that we will continue to make mistakes as we age, and life will still be tough, it's how we deal with all of it that matters. But despite how much fun it has been to go on these drunken journeys with Miles and Jack, all good things must come to an end and Rex has finally brought forth a finale to the series with Sideways 3 Chile.

​This time around we rejoin Miles several years after the events of Vertical and the years have not been kind. He's still fighting the good fight to find a new story to write that will replicate the success of Shameless, in fact he's doing everything he can just to find work as a writer. But so far, a new story has not formed in his mind, and the money earned from his hit novel is beginning to run out. But just when it seems like there is no hope on the horizon for Miles, an incredible opportunity falls right into his lap. A magazine is looking for a writer to put together a piece on Chile's growing wine industry, and they would like for Miles to head down there and be the man to assemble this article. It's an opportunity that Miles simply cannot pass up, and it's one that may influence his life in ways he never imagined...

Perhaps the most surprising part of Sideways 3 Chile is the fact that this is the first book in the series that just so happens to have a lighter tone than its predecessors. There's nothing wrong with that, actually it's wonderful to see, it's that we have come to know Miles Raymond and his sorrow well and to see a story where his eyes are finally open to the world around him and how his life has gone so far is off putting at first. But as the book progresses, and we see how much failure has helped Miles grow...you can't help but root for the guy and hope that he finally finds the peace and solitude that he deserves, because let's be honest...the poor guy has been through a lot and in many ways he deserves a little bit of joy in his life for a change.

But what makes this novel so memorable and quite frankly, beautiful, is the fact that this book in the series stays true to that life manual mentality, and rather than remind us that we have to be tough and strong every moment of every day...this book shifts its tone and lets you know that hey, it's okay to fail. It's okay to step away from your current situation and take a look at everything in order to give one the perspective they so desperately need. Because in doing so, we will see what matters most to us, and where we should be in life. Truly, it's a wonderful finale, one that wraps up this sweeping and sometimes somber story in appropriate fashion and it finally gives Miles Raymond the answers he has always been searching for.

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