Location: Home » Wine Glasses » General » The Soloist (Movie Tie-In): A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music

The Oenophile Network Blog & Forum Links

Wine Blog
Wine Forum

The Soloist (Movie Tie-In): A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music

enlarge

Author: Steve Lopez
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$15.00~~
Buy New: $8.07
You Save: $6.93 (46%)

New (38) Used (10) from $8.07

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

44 reviews
Sales Rank: 2207

Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.8

ISBN: 042522600X
Dewey Decimal Number: 780
EAN: 9780425226001
ASIN: 042522600X

Publication Date: September 30, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Different cover design same book Published before movie deal 2008

Similar Items:

•	The Last Lecture
•	The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel (Oprah Book Club #62)
•	The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
•	Unaccustomed Earth
•	The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Now a major motion pictureAn intimate portrait of mental illness, of atrocious social neglect, and the struggle to resurrect a fallen prodigy. (Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down)

This is the true story of journalist Steve Lopezs discovery of Nathaniel Ayers, a former classical bass student at Julliard, playing his heart out on a two-string violin on Los Angeles Skid Row. Deeply affected by the beauty of Ayerss music, Lopez took it upon himself to change the prodigys lifeonly to find that their relationship has had a profound change on his own life.

Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Music of the Fingers and Mind December 1, 2008
Steve Lopez has written a moving story about Nathaniel, a homeless man, once a student at Julliard School of music. Mental illness has over taken his life and robbed him of what could have been another famous performer of classical music.
Through Steve's articles in the LA Times, he opens a world to a stranger that he met on a street corner, living on Skid Row, and whose world revolves around nothing but music. Music takes Nathaniel into a mind of his own world that no one seems to understand.
Beethoven rules his life. Nathaniel receives an opportunity to meet Yo Yo Ma who attended Julliard the same time he attended classes before his breakdown. Yo Yo gives Nathaniel an opportunity to play his cello.
Many times Steve wants to give up on Nathaniel, but he perseveres and makes a break through. This book is moving and a whole new world opens to some of us that is unaware of of the struggles of mental health. You appreciate those who work hard to help change their lives and their world they live in.

4 out of 5 stars

Compelling story needs more vivid treatment November 27, 2008
A film version of Steve Lopez's chronicle of his friendship with homeless man Nathaniel Ayers, a gifted musician who briefly attended the Juilliard School before falling prey to schizophrenia, is about to be released. One wishes for its success, since the story the author tells is so compelling it needs more than he can give it.

This is not to denigrate the importance of Lopez' book. There is no doubt that he is a dedicated journalist and a man of more than usual sensitivity. While he tries to help Nathaniel, who despite his charm and talent is obviously a seriously ill man, he worries about compromising his journalistic integrity, of neglecting his family. The Soloist paints a disturbing portrait of the inadequacy of America's safety net for those who cannot cope with modern life due to mental illness, and offers vivid thumbnail sketches of some of the people at the front lines of the battle.

Still, in the end this reader was slightly disappointed, though loath to admit it. Though a few scenes have a heart-wrenching immediacy--a meeting between Nathaniel and famed cellist Yo-yo Ma, for example--too often Lopez' workmanlike prose falls short of truly bringing either the story or the frequently hellish milieu in which it is set to life. Nevertheless, enough of a sense of the unique, arduous but rewarding relationship that exists between these two people comes through that The Soloist is still well worth reading. I'm eager to see the film version too.

5 out of 5 stars

Pity the movie's been delayed; in the mean time, the book's a treasure November 27, 2008
I scrambled to read Steve Lopez' book prior to the upcoming movie release. I was disappointed to hear that Dreamworks had pushed it back to Spring 2009. "Budget reasons" were supposedly behind this very late move - so late, in fact, that I'm seeing ads all over and magazine story tie-ins left and right. Looks like the studio was more than halfway pregnant for a Fall release. It's got to be a kick in the nether regions for Robert Downey Jr., who was hearing very strong Oscar buzz for his portrayal of writer Lopez.

None of that, however, gets in the way of my admiration for this excellent book and its protagonists. What started out as a thought for a topic for a couple of columns for Lopez evolved into a true and lasting friendship, despite significant challenges and roadblocks along the way. It would have been easy for Lopez to move on to other things. Instead, he demonstrates a depth of character not shared by most of us. His commitment to Nathaniel Ayers is exemplary. Likewise, Mr. Ayers perseveres and reveals himself to be both a gifted musician and - when at peace with himself - a good friend.

Lopez shows the reader that there's no happy, shiny ending to his friend's affliction. That doesn't mean there aren't small victories seeded in the disappointments and frustrations. The author's talent is the he makes us readers revel in those advancements and commiserate in the sorrow. You want the best for the both of them.

5 out of 5 stars

The Soloist Soars November 25, 2008
A fabulous book with insight to homeless men and women that only Steve Lopez can bring. The music references and the "hook" that brought "The Soloist" back from the brink are terrific. I can't wait for the movie.

5 out of 5 stars

The Soloist November 23, 2008
I highly recommend this book. It grabbed my attention. It was informative about the real world of homeless people on Skid Row in Los Angeles and the need for greater attention and care to be given to this population. The love and care and acceptance the author felt for the soloist was extraordinary. It is a book of love and hope.

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service
Ordering
Tracking Your Package
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipping Rates
International Shipping Rates
Returns
Gifts & Gift Certificates
Privacy & Security

Subcategories

•	Mass Market
•	Trade

Untitled Document Disclaimer: This is an Amazon storefront - the products referenced on this site are manufactured and sold by parties other than the Oenophile Network. The Oenophile Network makes no representations regarding either the products or any information vendors offer about their products. Any questions, complaints, or claims regarding the products must be directed to the appropriate manufacturer or vendor, or to Amazon.com.