Kim M. (Eucalia) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
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.
Lynn B. (misslynn29) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
The Soloist really opens eyes to the homeless and mentally disabled. The book, of course, is much better than the recently released film. One thing that did bother me-Lopez blasts those that have let Nathaniel down. He makes a point to expose Nathaniel's father for leaving and beginning a new family. Yet, the back of the book claims he has three children. While Lopez goes on and on about his new daughter and wife, he never mentions his other two children. Seems hypocritical, but I may not know the whole story. That aside, the book is well written and helps us see the unseen.
Ande V. reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on
Helpful Score: 5
You will not want to put this down. It pulls at every emotion you have. Overall it is an amazing book. Sometimes you have to remnind yourself that this is a true story because you just can't believe some people actually live like that! My grattatude to you Mr.Lopez; Bravo
Anna S. (annapi) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 334 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Steve Lopez, columnist for the LA Times, chronicles the development of his friendship with Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former Julliard student who developed schizophrenia and eventually ended up on Skid Row. Lopez had encountered Nathaniel playing his violin on the street and stopped to listen. Sensing a story for his column, he approached him, but what followed was a friendship that transformed the writer as much as the subject.
I had followed Lopez's articles on Nathaniel for some time, so reading the book felt like revisiting an old friend while getting the back story. It is as much uplifting and inspirational as it is depressing and haunting, and Lopez lays bare his soul while telling Nathaniel's story, which becomes inextricably his as well. Through patience and persistence, with the help of social workers as well as readers who became mesmerized by his articles, Lopez slowly tries to help Nathaniel off the streets, though the story is by no means complete as the vagaries of mental illness inevitably include setbacks among the small steps of progress. The articles and now the book did much to raise awareness of Los Angeles's homeless problem, although progress is slow. Hopefully the movie that is scheduled for release in November 2009 will do even more. This is a stark look at the realities of mental illness and the redemptive power of music, a heartbreakingly magnificent story and a must-read.
I had followed Lopez's articles on Nathaniel for some time, so reading the book felt like revisiting an old friend while getting the back story. It is as much uplifting and inspirational as it is depressing and haunting, and Lopez lays bare his soul while telling Nathaniel's story, which becomes inextricably his as well. Through patience and persistence, with the help of social workers as well as readers who became mesmerized by his articles, Lopez slowly tries to help Nathaniel off the streets, though the story is by no means complete as the vagaries of mental illness inevitably include setbacks among the small steps of progress. The articles and now the book did much to raise awareness of Los Angeles's homeless problem, although progress is slow. Hopefully the movie that is scheduled for release in November 2009 will do even more. This is a stark look at the realities of mental illness and the redemptive power of music, a heartbreakingly magnificent story and a must-read.
Judith M. (resqme1065) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book. I think my education as a psychologist, clinical counseling made it a great read for me. I wanted very much to read after seeing most of the movie and believe book gave more background info than the movie. I did like the movie too!
Sally P. (journalist) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lovely story of friendship and need. Much better than the movie made from it, although I do like Jamie Foxx.
Leigh reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 378 more book reviews
The author seemed a little self-promoting and goes out of his way to let the reader know all the good he's done for the life of this Julliard-trained musician he found in L.A.'s Skid Row district (2nd Street tunnel). I feel like he was promoting himself under the guise of helping a homeless man who was stricken with a serious mental illness. I'm sure his reporter's pen was all aquiver when he realized he'd struck literary gold with a black man, a musician, a down-on-his-luck homeless man, and a schizophrenic, to boot!
That said, it was interesting and I learned a bit about schizophrenia and music. It wasn't a total loss. It was the tone of the author that put me off. This talented musician deserved a writer who should have focused on him and did him justice.
That said, it was interesting and I learned a bit about schizophrenia and music. It wasn't a total loss. It was the tone of the author that put me off. This talented musician deserved a writer who should have focused on him and did him justice.
Sharon D. (booklit) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 473 more book reviews
I loved this book. Next time you see a person talking to themselves remember they might have mental illness and just need some kindness.
Ruth B. (alwaysread) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 2 more book reviews
This is such a beautiful and heart warming book. It gave me a whole other meaning to the word "homeless". Music can make such a difference in one's life. I'm really glad I read this book.
Sandy T. (retiredgrammy) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 8 more book reviews
An eye-opener to understanding mental health.
Julie H. (readinginmysleep) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 9 more book reviews
This was a really interesting story. I gave me a different perspective on the homeless and mentally ill. The movie is close (but not completely true) to the book.
Patricia A. S. (grisbella) reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 10 more book reviews
Interesting.
Charles M. reviewed The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Movie Tie-In) on + 9 more book reviews
I have not yet read the book, but it has very good critics reviews.
