Music Dream

By Carmeli Argana

Alexi works in Star Records, a place where all your music dreams come true. Or do they? So far, things havent been exactly dreamy for Alexi. Alexi is working for the biggest pop sensation in the country as a laundress. Brianna and Celeste have turned Star Records into a place of torture for Alexi and Alexis best friend moved far away from her. Alexi has no one she can really trust. But then things started looking up for her. Lucy, her BFF, returns for a holiday and a competition turns up for all employees. This could be Alexis chance to finally get her life back on track. But wherever something bright turns up, something dark follows. Her chances of winning are becoming slimmer by the day and worse, the competition was even getting in the way of Alexis friendship with Lucy. Will Alexi have to choose? Who else could possibly help her fix everything in time to stop Brianna from winning unfairly?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Oct 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781482897418

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Carmeli Argana.

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 1

S tacey’s waiting for you. She had a sudden performance after you left. I told you, you had to stay back, sneered Celeste.

I’ll be there in a minute, Alexi replied with a sigh. Alexi knew what that meant. She did not dare defy Celeste. She had to get to Stacey’s room quickly before Celeste could tell Brianna. Alexi opened the door to Stacey’s room and grabbed all the washing. She raced to the laundry room in no time at all and carefully placed Stacey’s clothes into the soapy washing machines.

"How did my life get like this?" Alexi asked herself for the billionth time, although she already knew the answer.

Stacey Avarai was the biggest, most successful and not to mention famous singer and song writer at the time and had also been Alexi’s inspiration since she was a little girl. Alexi recalled her life one year ago.

Alexi had felt the sudden rush of excitement when she woke up to the first day of her new job. She remembered walking, no, jumping with joy, into Star Records with the thrill of excitement that refused to leave her from the moment she woke up that day. She remembered introducing herself as Alexi Livela to the front desk secretary and she remembered the big, bright smile the secretary gave her. Alexi recalled the secretary introducing herself as Lucy Haetro and Alexi remembered Lucy leading her to the lobby. Alexi laughed at the memory of Brianna Shoffow arguing that she was Stacey’s real vocal instructor and smiled as she remembered Lucy’s reply to Brianna.

Ok then, let me check these occupation documents, Lucy said as she took out a stapled file out of a golden coloured folder.

Hmmm, let me see. Bill Rekodry, official manager, Adrianna Hartly, back-up singer, Karena Willow, back-up singer, Carissa Alubia, make-up artist, Jade Stilohet, make-up artist, Belle Chamring, make-up artist, Thomas Harvey, recording manager… Lucy listed names and the occupations that matched for what seemed like forever. Ah! Here we are! Alexi Livela, vocal instructor, Lucy said with triumph.

"VOCAL INSTRUCTOR?! If she’s Stacey’s vocal instructor, Brianna shouted pointing a long skinny finger at Alexi. Then what am I?!" Brianna demanded, now pointing at herself.

I’m not sure, I’ll look again. It’ll just be a few minutes, or maybe longer, Lucy said flicking onto the next page while glancing a quick smile at Alexi. Brianna groaned. Lucy laughed. I’m just kidding, it could take longer or shorter, Lucy said reassuringly. But Brianna wasn’t completely satisfied yet.

You know what? Just stop. I’ll find out for myse- Before Brianna could finish Lucy cut in.

Found it! Brianna Shoffow, laundress. Brianna’s eyes bulged out and her mouth dropped open into an ‘o’ shape.

WHAT!? ME?! A LAUNDRESS?! How could this happen?! I did not apply here to be a laundress! There has to be some mistake! Just then Bill walked in.

What’s with all this racket? Who’s shouting? Lucy, tell me what’s going on! Bill said. His voice was quiet but silence followed immediately. Lucy explained how there was a mix-up with the jobs and she was simply notifying everyone what their job was.

"Apparently, some people were a little surprised when they found out what their job really was," Lucy continued, eyeing Brianna.

Whatever. Who’s Stacey’s laundress? Stacey has a whole closet of dirty clothes that need to be washed immediately, Bill said eyeing Brianna and Alexi. Brianna stepped forward obviously still upset. Bill, however, didn’t notice.

Well hurry up then! Ok, let me get this straight. You are Stacey’s vocal instructor, am I right? Of course I am. Welcome to Star Records. I apologize for that misunderstanding. Make yourself comfortable here but not just yet. Right now Stacey is waiting in the music room. So hurry up! You don’t want to be late for your first lesson do you? Bill asked, turning to Alexi. Alexi nodded. After Bill had left, Lucy turned to Alexi.

Hope you have a fun day! And if you need anything, you know where to go! Lucy said. She winked as she exited the room.

Reviews for Music Dream

[bereanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book, learned from it, and felt the tension as the author, a journalist for the LA Times tried to help a Skid Row/ Julliard musician with mental illness (schizophrenia).

[bookconcierge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book's subtitle says it all: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music. There are parts where I thought Lopez's work was self-serving, but in general I think it's a sincere depiction of a meaninful relationship with a man who suffers mental illness.

[ladyofunicorns · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I did see the movie first which I hardly ever do but since it had been a while it really didn't matter. This is such a very good book, beautiful imagery and great explanations unlike the movie (which was very good too!).

[justmelissa_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Soloist is one of those books that I want to give to everyone I know (and maybe even those I don't) just so we can talk about it later. On his way to work one day LA Times journalist Steve Lopez meets Nathaniel Ayers, a Julliard-trained homeless paranoid schizophrenic playing a broken and battered violin. The book chronicles their resulting relationship through all its complexities, challenges, and rewards. Though the title might lead you to believe that music redeems Ayers, I think it might ultimately be Lopez who finds redemption.The Soloist challenges what most of us believe about the homeless, the mentally ill, and what's "best" for them. For example, finding Ayers a place to live is the easy part - getting him to want to live there is a complex dance of trust, safety, and shared responsibility. Lopez gives Ayers assistance, time, money, friendship, family, and access to countless resources, but ultimately the friendship is defined by what Ayers is able to accept more than by what Lopez is willing to give. In the end, this is an amazing story of about humanism, commitment, community, courage, love, and acceptance.

[imbookingit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Maybe even 4.5 stars.This is a wonderful story, very effectively written.I was afraid the book would sugar coat the difficulties that people with serious mental illness face-- that it would wrap up to easily and happily.It doesn't. Neither is it a bleak, depressing book.The book gave me insight into what life is like for the homeless. It showed me the power that music can have. It let me see a friendship that changed the lives of two people, but also of many others around them.

[justpeachy_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When L.A. Times columnist, Steve Lopez, discovers a musically-talented homeless man playing the violin on a street corner, he decides to write a column about the man. But one column turns into several and the more Lopez delves in Nathaniel Ayers' life, the more he realizes he can't just put this man in the spotlight and then walk away. Lopez learns that 30 years earlier, Ayers dropped out of Julliard when schizophrenia made it impossible for him to handle the pressures of school. He eventually ended up in LA, living on the street and playing his violin in a noisy tunnel every day. Lopez not only writes about Ayers in his columns, he befriends him, and struggles through the ups and downs of trying to help a mentally ill homeless man. This is an inspiring book about music and friendship, a story that has been made into a soon-to-be released movie starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx.

[artistlibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I ended up reading this for my book club. Even though it is the One Book, One City selection for Philadelphia, I didn't have much interest in it as I do not have a strong passion for music. Lopez is a columnist for the LA Times and his style shows throughout the text. It reads very much like a drawn-out column with quick sentences and very carefully chosen descriptives. This makes it an easy read, but also a bit soft. It is hard to get a good vision of his subject: Nathaniel Ayers, the homeless schizophrenic who was once a student at Julliard. Lopez only generally touches on all of these subjects (homelessness, mental illness, and classical music) and so the overall feeling is one of a nice but empty story. Ironically, what reading this book has done is made me want to see the movie.

[vernefan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Steve Lopez' real life portrayal and realistic glimpse into the world of one homeless and heartbreaking life, is story telling at it's finest. Never have I enjoyed a non-fiction book so much. I read The Soloist in about 10 hours, totally immersed, entranced and in awe of Lopez's poignant writing and in Nathaniel Ayers centrifugal life.Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a 55-year old homeless black man living on Skid Row, is found one day playing a dilapidated 2-string violin on an impoverished street in the poorest part of Los Angeles, by Steve Lopez, one of L.A.'s finest newspaper reporters. Just 12 miles from Hollywood, where celebrities live like kings, is Skid Row. The land of drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes and homeless; a destitute world where souls struggle to survive day after day without hope of ever crawling up from the gutter they landed in. But there is one man who although dwells amongst this sad and desperate heap, and sleeps in his own midnight doorway with a shopping cart of wonders, stands tall with pride and integrity and uses the sound of music to keep his soul from the devils that surround him.Passing by Nathaniel one day while out scooping for a story, Lopez strolls by hearing what he feels is better than average music from a down-on-his-luck street performer. Striking up a conversation with Nathaniel and complimenting him on his music, Lopez walks away thinking there could be a story for his column hidden in the strings of this man's violin. Returning to Nathaniel's special spot under a tunnel day after day, the two men become fast friends and Nathaniel becomes the star of Steve's daily news column that will fast and furiously endear the world to not only the life of this intriguing musician, but to the chaotic and calamitous world of the American homeless.Digging deeper into Nathaniel's life through fellow vagrants, and through long chats with Nathaniel, Lopez reveals that Nathaniel was not always a street warrior. He was brought up by in a good home, was very bright, and shockingly had a career of music on the rise as a student at New York's Juilliard Conservatory of Music. What happened then to this beautiful soul with talent and a gift of music? He broke down under pressure as a black man amidst white, when expected to perform and become a genius of sound. His world fell apart when Schizophrenia blew a hole in his life and smashed his career to pieces. Hospitalized, medicated, evicted from family and society, Nathaniel's life to follow finds him pulling a shopping cart around the streets of L.A., one minute paying homage to Beethoven for the world passing by, while the next minute has him screaming obscenities as the reality of his mental health disorder pulls the demon twin within him and frightens society around him.This is an amazing, breathtaking story of the friendship and love Steve and Nathaniel find in each other and a tale of how one reporter reaches out and tries to save Nathaniel from drowning in the sewers of despair. Lopez's articles bring forth the decency in American hearts when people band together to help Nathaniel find a better world. Gifts of cellos and violins drop from the sky to give this lonely Music Man a chance to crawl away from his concert hall of cement one step at a time. Steve patiently and frustratingly, spends two years finding answers and assistance to provide his friend with a home, mental health care, and a life of music, slowly gaining trust from Nathaniel inch by inch.Reading The Soloist will have you laughing, yet finding your heart saddened. You will at times be in shock, and at times find yourself cheering. While turning the pages I experienced a rollercoaster ride of emotions from the intensity of this profound and poignant tale. It can be exhausting, mind-bending, and thought provoking. I had to take breaks here and there, feeling wrung out from the depth of feelings this book can bring out. At one point near the end of the story, I broke down and cried because of the horrors this man's life endured, because I felt I was there on the streets of LA side by side in hell with Nathaniel screaming for help, for the beauty and kindness of strangers in a world gone mad, and because this book is so beautiful I didn't want it to end.At 53 years old, with the thousands of books I've read in my life, I'll put The Soloist in my top 5 favorites of all time. Journalism does not get any better than this.

[zippysuzy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this touching book about the relationship between an LA Times columnist and a homeless musician. Mr. Lopez is a descriptive writer who is able to capture the scene of Skid Row and the inner struggle that he experiences while attempting to find the right way to impact the life of Mr. Ayers. He has stumbled into the world that mental health professionals live daily. I hope that Mr. Ayers continues his progress and succeeds in his goal to be a musical therapist.

[cee2_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Lopez is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Mr. Ayers is a homeless, mentally ill man who is also a former Juilliard student and is still a musician of great talent. One day Mr. Lopez meets Mr. Ayers and sees in him the subject of a great column, but he gets more than he bargained for. As he becomes more involved in Mr. Ayers' life, they become friends. This book is very honest about mental illness and how little we generally care about the mentally ill who are poor or whose illness prevents them from caring for themselves and from accepting help. We learn something about organized attempts to help them and the importance of patience and faithfulness.I couldn't put this book down and very much recommend it both to persons who are interested in mental illness and to persons who want to read a very moving story of the human spirit.

[milibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After hearing the author speak (at the American Library Association conference in Chicago), I had to read the book, and it was as riveting as the speech. While searching for material for his column for the LA Times, Steve Lopez meets Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. Nathaniel is a paranoid-schizophrenic on Skid Row. He spends his days playing Beethoven on a violin with only two strings and sleeps on the street. As Lopez gets acquainted with the former Julliard student, what starts out as just material for a column turns into a friendship which will change both men. There are many disappointments among the small triumphs as Lopez tries to help his talented friend. This true story will force the reader to face the reality of mental illness and its effect on society as well as the difference one individual can make in another's life.

[whitewavedarling · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book covers a lot of territory, and I'd recommend it to anyone who's interested either in the story based on what you've heard, or in memoirs, mental illness, or the power of art/music as a healing engagement. Lopez's account is straight-forward and interesting, with an eye toward detail and the journey not only of his friend, Mr. Ayers, but himself. I believe that anyone who picks up this book with an honest interest toward any aspect of the subject will not go away disappointed.

[dianemb_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very good book on several fronts. It's a very interesting story about subjects that aren't often discussed such as homelessness and mental illness. It takes us down to skid row and shows us a few very difficult truths. Written in a compassionate yet realistic way.

[debs4jc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A close encounter with the problems faced by the mentally ill and homeless changed Steve Lopez's life--and it may inspire you to change as well. Steve Lopez was scouting for a topics for his newspaper column when he spotted a homeless man playing a 2 stringed violin in a nearby park. Doing the opposite of most passers by, Steve decided to get to know this man. What he found out amazed him--the man, Nathaniel Ayers, was once a student at Julliard--where he was known as a bass player with an amazing talent. Lopez continues to delve into Nathaniel's story it evolves into a larger story about the way mentally ill people are treated and the challenges faced by those who want to help them.This story stimulated my thoughts as I pondered Nathaniels plight and wished desperately with Steve that he could find relief from his illness and a nice, stable place to rest his head. I appreciated Lopez letting us in on his own inner struggles and frustrations as he tries to help Nathaniel as I could readily identify with his feelings. If the recent movie based on this book has you wondering whether you should read it, definitely do!

[siafl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me four days to finish reading this book because it was easy to read. That's among the first things that I appreciate about this book: its modern English. A lot of times I chase after books that are classics, because they appear on somebody's top book list, and find their English out-dated and awkward to read. This is a nice change of pace (and language) for me.I am a music fan and so I could relate to all the musical references in the book. Mr. Lopez has done his research because those are all accurate. There are also some lines that strike a chord in me. '"I try to treat everyone the way I'd want to be treated," he tells me.' (117) Agreed! Too many people don't do that and turn the world upside down. 'I don't know if I've ever been a very good friend to anyone, maybe because friendship is too much about the past...Who has time to look back? Friendship is easier when it has no history, no time for broken promises and all the little piques that fill a running tally sheet. To Nathaniel, as well, the past is irrelevant. Life is all about the next phrase, about feeding the monster, about finding a definition of himself that makes sense for at least one day.' (196) That's just something that a lot of us don't think about when it comes to relationships. What it means to be friends. All too often we selfishly try to change someone else in a relationship to suit ourselves. People don't change (that easily), first of all, but Mr. Lopez here seems to suggest that both himself and Mr. Nathaniel Anthony Ayers were able to change for each other because, as he testifies here, they look forward to the future. Maybe 'change' is the wrong word. They merely look ahead to finding a way to renew friendship when a new day comes.One thing that's interesting about this book is that it reads very much like what a narrator in a documentary film would sound like. I appreciate the moments when Mr. Lopez reflects upon his own undertaking of this project and makes attempts to justify his purpose. I enjoy this book because it is thought-provoking. I am not sure if it has as much a profound impact on me as it does Mr. Lopez, but like he says, 'Everything I've written about Nathaniel is extremely personal...' (217) and I applaud his effort in searching for answers in a unique situation that requires a kind of patience that may not be so evident within 300 pages of words.

[stubbyfingers_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I pass a homeless person on the street, I don't tend to think too much about them. But what if one day you stopped and really took an interest in one of them? What if you found out why they got where they are? And what if you found out what keeps them there? This is the story of a man who does exactly that with a homeless man with schizophrenia playing a tattered violin in downtown LA. I loved the way this story shined a light on him and turned him from a crazy street guy into a human being. But it doesn't sugar coat things--it shows us that helping the homeless people in our cities is not an easy task--is not something that can be accomplished in an afternoon--especially the people with mental health issues.

[jenforbus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Soloist is the true story of Steve Lopez's experience with a homeless, schizophrenic who also happens to be an amazingly talented musician on the streets of Los Angeles . Steve Lopez, a journalist with the L.A. Times, met Nathanial Ayers on Skid Row in L.A. Lopez was looking for a story for his newspaper column, and Ayers was a homeless man playing a violin, quite well, with only two strings. As Lopez spoke to Ayers a reference was made to Julliard, so Lopez began investigating. He was initially told no one named Nathanial Ayers had attended Julliard, but the information was later corrected. A Nathanial Ayers actually did attend for two years in the 70s before having to leave for "personal" reasons. Those "personal reasons" were the onset of schizophrenia. What started out as a mere story concept grew in to much more than Lopez ever imagined. This is the story of their friendship.The Soloist is presently a movie starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. I have not seen the movie so I cannot comment on the depiction of the story through the film. But the book is a rather amazing look at schizophrenia from a close "outsiders" experience. I word that as such because Lopez never really seems to be able to get completely "inside" with Ayers. There will always be a part of Ayers' world that Lopez will never have access to. Lopez's writing is filled with musical language. And he says a lot through those words, but I also find myself wanting more of the story. To be fair, this is probably due to my love of the fiction story where there is very little gap. But The Soloist is composed more like a series of newspaper columns tacked together in sequential order. Because both men are so fascinating, I want to know more about each of them; I want to know about the time that occurs in between those columns.The story takes the reader through an array of emotions. There is happiness at successes, fear and heartbreak at failures, mortification at the condition that exists for homeless people TODAY on our very streets, and elation at the generosity that people will show one another. There is also an awareness of a disease that is debilitating and unpredictable and even controversial, at least the issues connected to the disease are controversial. This is not a book that is full of action, moving you to fly through the pages. Instead it is a book full of humanity that makes you savor each and every word. Lopez says, "From paranoia to poetry, sirens to violins, madness to genius. Nathanial's life is opera." Lopez has created the sheet music for that opera and it is titled The Soloist.

[clif_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A syndicated columnists writes about a homeless man who is a good musician and former Juilliard student. Suddenly the homeless man is famous, and there are many people who want to help him. There's just one problem. This man has schizophrenia and is suspicious of everyone. But glimmers of musical brilliance are still there and donations of numerous musical instruments start arriving. The readers expect the columnist to make sure this man is safe and no longer homeless. In this book Steve Lopez tells of story of his efforts at helping this homeless person. He weaves into the book's narrative a discussion of problems related to treatment of mental illness and caring for the homeless. The book explores the question of whether people who have mental illness should be forced to get treatment. He also touches of numerous facets of being a columnist including wondering about the future of newspaper journalism.Frankly, this book covers a subject I wish didn't exist. How should we respond to homeless people encountered on the street who ask for money? If a friend has mental illness and doesn't want treatment, should we do something about it?

[tibobi · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Steve Lopez, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times discovers a man by the name of Nathaniel Ayers, living in a tunnel off of Skid Row. The unique thing about Nathaniel, is that in addition to his shopping cart, his other prized possession, is a beat-up, violin which he plays with as much passion as a concert violinist.Lopez, intrigued by his story, begins to delve into the Ayers' life and finds that although he is now homeless, he was once a student of Juilliard and was forced to end his musical education when he developed Schizophrenia. Lopez, through research and the desire for Ayers to have a better life, contacts a local treatment center and so begins Ayers' journey to recovery.This is a story about friendship but there are also some very strong themes here. As Lopez chronicles Ayers' life via his newspaper column, he also opens the eyes of local politicians to the problem of the mentally ill in and around Los Angeles that are homeless and not capable of seeking treatment on their own.The story is a little slow at times, because there are a lot of setbacks but there are also several moments that brought tears to my eyes. Several readers of Lopez's column donate instruments to Nathaniel and when he is presented with these instruments, it's clear that for him, music is his true therapy. The same can be said when he is presented with a trip to Walt Disney Concert Hall. It's a very touching scene.

[stevetempo_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A nice inspiring true story of a very positive encounter between a journalist and a homeless musician. It's enlightening/informative book regarding mental illness and a had wonderful references to the classical music world.

[literarylinda · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I especially enjoyed the musical parts of this story.

[danawl_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story of a newspaper editor who befriends a street musician who dropped out of Julliard due to his mental illness.

[crazy4reading · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been pondering exactly what to write for my review since I finished this book. I enjoyed the book because of the music and the homeless man that finds solace in playing his instruments. Steve Lopez is a journalist who is in search of a story for his column and he finds a homeless man playing a violin. Mr. Lopez is enthralled by this man and decides that this is what or who his next column will be written about. I found the story well written and a wonderful enthralling read. Steve captures the essence of Nathanial Ayers and his love of music. The relationship that builds throughout the story, between Steve Lopez and Nathanial Ayers is wonderfully conveyed. At times I felt like I was there with them in the story listening to the music that Nathanial was playing. As I read the story I reflected on how I was when I played the violin and my love for music. Music has always been away for people to express themselves and to lose the demons that sometimes feel like they are controlling your life. The Soloist brings forth this in so many different ways as Mr. Lopez learns more about the classical music that Nathan plays and the many different instruments he attempts to perform with while Nathan is out on the streets.

[olgalijo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Eye opening. Helps understand mental illness in a way in which no lecture can.

[hardlyhardy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"The Soloist," the 2009 movie starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx, was based on the 2008 memoir of the same title by Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist. The film is quite good, but the book gives much more of the story.When Lopez found a middle-aged homeless black man playing a two-string violin surprisingly well on the street in the worst part of Los Angeles, he thought it might make a good column. When he learned the man, Nathaniel Ayers, had once attended Julliard, he knew he had a great column.Ayers grew up in Cleveland. In his early teens, he discovered a great love and talent for music. He won a scholarship to Ohio University, then soon was accepted to Julliard. He did well there, but the intense pressure to succeed triggered a mental breakdown that eventually led him to the streets of L.A.Lopez sees Ayers first as a good story, then as a burden and finally as a friend. Ayers, it turns out, is not the only soloist in this tale. Lopez is one person who comes to the aid of another, rather than just counting on professional and volunteer agencies to do the job. And he discovers that Ayers is not the only one who benefits from this unlikely friendship.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listened to this as an electronic down load from my library. I had seen the movie a few months ago and I was sure there was quite a bit left out of the story. There was and I'm glad I had the chance to listen to the whole book.Steve Lopez is a columnist for the LA Times. One day he happened across a street person playing classical music on a battered violin. Nathaniel Ayers, the musician, tells Lopez that he had been at Julliard, one of the best music schools in the states. Lopez, sensing a story, checks into this and finds it is true. Mr. Ayers was a promising bass student at Julliard but then developed schizophrenia and dropped out. Originally from Cleveland he made his way to LA and has been living on the street for years. Lopez's column has causes an outpouring of response. People donate instruments, including a cello which is close enough to a bass for Ayers to play quite well. Lopez and Ayers develop a friendship and Lopez decides to help Ayers get off the street. In the movie this seems like a pretty short period but the book shows that it took over a year for Ayers to move into a small apartment. Ayers still won't consider taking medication and he still struggles with his demons but his life is measurably better. The tragedy is that there are 59,999 other people on the street in LA.

[nancynova · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book that I listened to on a borrowed library audio copy during a trip to SC.LA Journalist befriends a homeless man who turns out to have had a breakdown when he was a Julliard and now lives near Disney Hall and a Bethoven statue. The columnist eventually understands that the life he envisions for Nathaniel is not the life that Nathaniel wants or is capable of having.

[librarianshannon_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I ended up reading this for my book club. Even though it is the One Book, One City selection for Philadelphia, I didn't have much interest in it as I do not have a strong passion for music. Lopez is a columnist for the LA Times and his style shows throughout the text. It reads very much like a drawn-out column with quick sentences and very carefully chosen descriptives. This makes it an easy read, but also a bit soft. It is hard to get a good vision of his subject: Nathaniel Ayers, the homeless schizophrenic who was once a student at Julliard. Lopez only generally touches on all of these subjects (homelessness, mental illness, and classical music) and so the overall feeling is one of a nice but empty story. Ironically, what reading this book has done is made me want to see the movie.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Adult nonfiction. In his efforts to help out a talented, homeless, schizophrenic musician, Lopez uncovers the true grit of homeless life in LA and the realities of skid row. A good story, but a bit blathery. Also, the narrator of the audio CD version reads at times very loudly (when Nathaniel is yelling) and often very softly (when Lopez is thinking to himself) which makes for a not-so-great listening experience when you're commuting.

[bermudaonion_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Steve Lopez is a columnist for The Los Angeles Times. While he was searching for a story one day, he encountered Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a homeless man playing a violin that was missing some strings. After talking to Nathanial for a while he discovered that he attended Juilliard and a column was born. Nathaniel struck a chord with Steve and the column struck a chord with the public. Several people offered instruments to Nathaniel and Steve delivered them to him with the condition that he store them at LAMP – the Los Angeles Men’s Project – so they won’t be stolen.Steve Lopez developed a fondness for Nathaniel and worked hard to help him by contacting his sister, doctors and social workers. He pieced together Nathaniel’s background and discovered that schizophrenia destroyed Nathaniel’s dreams while he was studying at Juilliard. The two men develop a deep bond and Steve spends a lot of time with Nathaniel. He comes to realize that music is the best medicine for Nathaniel – it’s when he feels the most peaceful and calm. Steve is a wonderful advocate for Nathaniel and arranged music lessons, concerts and a visit from Nathaniel’s sister. Steve comes to think of Nathaniel almost like family and includes him in some family activities and dinners.The Soloist by Steve Lopez is a wonderful book about the relationship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers. In it, Steve chronicles the ups and downs of their relationship and even questions his motives behind helping Anthony. The writing is crisp, yet Steve’s affection for Nathaniel is abundantly clear. Even though parts of this book are sad, I found it joyful and uplifting. I’ve always thought of myself as being pretty open-minded, but this book made me think about my attitudes toward homelessness and mental illness. Steve has done a tremendous amount of work to improve the quality of Nathaniel’s life, but he is quick to admit that their relationship means as much to him as it does to Nathaniel. In case you couldn’t tell, I loved this book.