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The Soloist
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
10 posts | 21 read | 14 to read
When Steve Lopez sees Nathaniel Ayers playing his heart out on a two-string violin on Los Angeles's skid row, he finds it impossible to walk away. More than thirty years ago, Ayers was a promising student at Julliard - ambitious, charming and hugely talented - until he gradually lost his ability to function, overcome by schizophrenia. When Lopez finds him, Ayers is homeless and paranoid, but glimmers of his earlier brilliance are still there. Over time, the two men form a bond, and Lopez imagines that he might be able to change Ayer's life. For each triumph, there is a crashing disappointment, yet neither man gives up. Their friendship will changes both of their lives in ways that neither could predict. Poignant and ultimately hopeful, The Soloist is a beautifully told story of devotion in the face of seemingly unbeatable challenges, and the inspiring power of music.
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WriterAtHeart
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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Pickpick

Though this book has been around for a while, I finally took the time to read it. Beautifully written, Lopez tells the story about meeting a schizophrenic, homeless musician in LA and their journey together.

44 likes1 stack add
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bookishbitch
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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I want to read the book before I watch the movie. #tbrpile

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DieAReader
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Pickpick

#FEASTMODE #ProgressItNovember #CrushTheRush

5⭐️

This one has all the feels for me. My 2nd time around with the audiobook & I can‘t #Recommendsday it enough😁

Random fact: The only 🎬 (I) ever bought on iTunes (& I‘ve got it on DVD)😂🤯

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick A glowing review! I love it. 4y
Andrew65 Will have to keep an eye out for this one. 4y
33 likes2 comments
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IamIamIam
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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Pickpick

Everyone has a story and, as a journalist, Steve Lopez knows where to find a good one. Stumbling upon a man playing a 2 stringed violin wonderfully, clearly homeless, Lopez befriends Nathaniel Ayers and finds a beautiful and gifted soul tortured by schizophrenia. Ayers was a musical prodigy attending Julliard with a young Yo-Yo Ma when his life fell apart. This is not to be missed!! #Booked2019 #FeaturesAMusician #NonFiction #MentalHealthAwareness

IamIamIam I used every character on that post! 😂 @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft 6y
Cinfhen This was a great read!! And it was made into a movie 6y
IamIamIam @Cinfhen The movie is next on my list! I loved both Nathaniel for being amazing and Steve for being so persistent! 6y
36 likes3 comments
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IamIamIam
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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I was struggling to think of a #Booked2019 book #featuringamusician. I've never really been drawn to rock biographies because I believe they're filled with irresponsible behavior that I don't want to deal with. This focuses on a musical genius who was crippled by schizophrenia and is found while performing on a corner and living on the streets.

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Sharpeipup
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Now to find the movie!
“a friend is someone who inspires, who challenges, who sends you in search of some truer sense of yourself” #quotes #litsy #page2screen

bookish_wookish This is a really good movie! 6y
16 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Cinfhen
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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#NoFemmeber #California #NonfictionNovember When Steve Lopez, a columnist for the LA Times sees a homeless man playing his heart out on a two-string violin on Los Angeles's skid row, he finds it impossible to walk away. Once long ago Nathaniel Ayers was a promising student at Julliard. What happens next is astonishing.

Cinfhen Ok @BarbaraBB I thought of a different book xx 6y
TrishB This sounds interesting 👍🏻 6y
Cinfhen I read it with my son when he was a freshman in HS ...it was chosen as the one book one city read @TrishB a long time ago. Do u remember reading this book @DivineDiana ??? 6y
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Megabooks Sounds intriguing! Stacked 👍🏻 6y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen Missed reading it, but I did see the movie, which was great! And I remember Steve Lopez! 6y
Billypar Sounds inspiring! 😃 6y
BarbaraBB Lol 😂 and a good one I think! 6y
Cathythoughts Beautiful post 💜💜💜 6y
92 likes7 stack adds8 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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violabrain Why is that instrument on the cover missing two strings? 7y
BookishMarginalia @violabrain A heavy-handed way of showing that the violinist the book is about is “broken” due to mental illness, homelessness, and poverty? 7y
violabrain I just read the blurb above and now I understand - apparently the main character played a two string violin. :) 7y
106 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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mydearwatson
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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#inthemoodforlove...of music. Again, I'm not a big fan of nonfiction, but this...just read it. Way better than the movie (big surprise, right?).
#seasonsreadings2016 @RealLifeReading

14 likes2 stack adds
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HotCocoaReads
The Soloist | Steve Lopez
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Pickpick

A beautiful, heartbreaking true story about a reporter in LA who befriends a homeless man who once was a promising musician studying at Juilliard. He suffers from schizophrenia but finds solace in playing an old violin on the streets. His music is his escape from reality.

booksbythecup Gorgeous....I'm trying to figure out Litsy 9y
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