The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music (Google eBook)
Description
Now a major motion picture—“An 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 LopezÂ's discovery of Nathaniel Ayers, a former classical bass student at Julliard, playing his heart out on a two-string violin on Los AngelesÂ' Skid Row. Deeply affected by the beauty of AyersÂ's music, Lopez took it upon himself to change the prodigyÂ's life—only to find that their relationship has had a profound change on his own life.
Praise for The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music…
"Lopez is a terrific reporter. The Soloist is poignant, wise, and funny."
-Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind
"A heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful, read."
-Essence
"An utterly compelling tale."
-Pete Earley, author of Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness
"With self-effacing humor, fast-paced yet elegant prose, and unsparing honesty, Lopez tells an inspiring story of heartbreak and hope."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Compelling and gruffly tender...Lopez deserves congratulations for being the one person who did not avert his eyes and walk past the grubby man with the violin."
-Edward Humes, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist writing for the Los Angeles Times
