43 pages • 1 hour read
The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship
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Book Brief
304
Biography • Nonfiction
Los Angeles, California • 2000s
2008
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Soloist by Steve Lopez, journalist Lopez meets Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician with schizophrenia, who once attended Juilliard. Lopez investigates Ayers's situation, building a friendship and helping him connect with resources like the Los Angeles Men's Project. Despite initial resistance, Ayers begins using a music studio and a new apartment, experiencing gradual progress amid ongoing challenges. The book includes sensitive topics on mental illness and homelessness.
Inspirational
Emotional
Heartwarming
Hopeful
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
11,128 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Steve Lopez's The Soloist is praised for its heartfelt depiction of a unique friendship and its compassionate exploration of homelessness and mental illness. Reviewers appreciate Lopez's engaging narrative and empathetic portrayal, though some critique the book's pace and occasional predictability. Overall, it effectively highlights the transformative power of music and human connection.
Who Should Read The Soloist?
A reader who appreciates profound human stories with themes of friendship, music, and mental illness would enjoy Steve Lopez’s The Soloist. Fans of A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl will find similar depth and emotional resonance.
11,128 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Steve Lopez
Steve Lopez
Steve Lopez is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times who befriends Nathaniel Ayers and becomes deeply involved in his story, learning about mental health and societal issues through their relationship.
Jennifer Ayers-Moore
Jennifer Ayers-Moore
Jennifer is Nathaniel Ayers's younger sister who lives in Atlanta and becomes involved in his life again, helping manage his financial matters when she visits Los Angeles.
Dr. Mark Ragins
Dr. Mark Ragins
Dr. Ragins is a mental health professional at the Village who advocates a recovery model based on building relationships rather than immediate medical intervention.
Pete Snyder
Pete Snyder
Snyder is a cellist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic who gives Nathaniel Ayers cello lessons, impressed by his natural musical talent.
Stuart Robinson
Stuart Robinson
Robinson is a mental health professional at Lamp who helps Nathaniel Ayers regularly and assists with his transition to stable housing at the Ballington.
304
Biography • Nonfiction
Los Angeles, California • 2000s
2008
Adult
16+ years
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