Vertical
by Rex Pickett
Readers may be familiar with the 2004 movie Sideways, starring Paul Giamatti. But before it was a movie, and it was a book - and this particular novel, Vertical, picks up seven years after Sideways leaves off.
By now, the tables have completely turned. Miles (Paul Giamatti) is now a smashing success. He's published a book, turned it into a hit movie, and is single-handedly responsible for making wine sales go through the roof. Because of his success, Miles is paid generous sums of money to be the guest speaker at various wine events - and collects bottle after bottle of excellent wine from vintners desperate for a mention in his next book.
But Miles is still the good son, and he's concerned about his mother's well-being. She has survived a stroke and is living in a miserable nursing home. She can't even have her beloved dog Snapper with her there.
Cue another harebrained road trip! With Jack as his divorced, unemployed, alcoholic co-pilot, Miles leases a handicapped-equipped rampvan, hires a pot-smoking Filipina caretaker and, with his mother's rascally Yorkie in tow, they head off for Wisconsin, where Miles's mom can live with her sister. Along the way, they stop in many a vineyard for the usual shenanigans.
Readers get the palpable sense that Vertical isn't a novel, it's a thinly veiled autobiography. The parallels between the author and his protagonists are too similar to ignore. We think Miles would recommend you uncork a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and settle into a comfortable chair to drink up this middle-aged adventure tale by Rex Pickett. It's available in the adult fiction section of the Prince George Public Library.
-- Reviewed by Marty James, catalogue technician at the Prince George Public Library
Warriors Of God
By James Reston
This is a story of the Third Crusade and two of the most colourful figures of medieval times: Richard the Lion Heart and Saladin. Reading more like a novel than a history book, the narrative involves such well-known historical characters like Eleanor of Aquitaine and King John.
The story starts with Salah ad-Din or Saladin, who builds a Middle Eastern Empire and seeks to retake Palestine from the Crusaders during the 12th century. A gathering civil war within the Latin Kingdom, a weak king, and the actions of fanatical warrior monks created the opportunity for Saladin - but it was some extremely stupid moves on the part of the Crusaders at the Battle Of Hattin in 1187 AD that led to their own defeat. Within months, Muslim armies had conquered most of Palestine and walked through the gates of Jerusalem.
In response to the military crisis in Palestine, it seemed like half of the royalty of Europe decided to travel there, including the Kings of France, England and Germany. Richard the Lion Hearted, who was a brilliant warrior and strategist, finally arrived a few years later. He'd made a few stops along the way to fight some battles in Sicily and conquer Cyprus.
Throughout this book, author James Reston paints a less than flattering picture of the Crusaders and the palace politics of twelfth century England and France. He believes that Richard the Lion Heart grew up in an environment of family problems with Eleanor of Aquitaine, former wife of the King of France, encouraging her sons to revolt against their father Henry the King of England.
Reston also portrayed Richard as a homosexual and a sometime lover of Philip, King of France. While the issue of Richard's preferences is an academic debate and he was certainly thought to be bi-sexual, it is highly unlikely that King Philip was his partner. Whatever the details, the jealousy and infighting between Richard and King Philip undermined the Crusader war effort. In the end, neither Saladin nor Richard could win decisively - and the Crusades ended in a draw.
Saladin died from fever shortly after Richard left for England. According to one legend, the mighty man gave everything he owned to charity and died a pauper. Richard the Lion Heart, on the other hand, went on to further adventures, spent several years in captivity, and eventually died in battle.
Warriors Of God is an extremely interesting portrayal of past events, although its historical accuracy is questionable. The characters are painted so realistically that it is difficult to determine who the "good guys" actually were.... Readers may find themselves liking Saladin more than most of the Crusaders.
Get your hands on Warriors Of God from the adult non-fiction section at the Prince George Public Library.
- Reviewed by John Shepherd, former trustee for the Prince George Public Library Board
