Lauren Carbone

English III

Mr. Fiorini

The Soloist, Chapters 13-22

 

            In reading The Soloist, I was greatly interested in Lopez’s overall presentation and narration of the story. Along with the intriguing story line of a unique friendship, the presentation of the story is what allowed me to continue reading. It was written in a different point of view than I as a reader am use to, which made me more anxious to experience a new style of writing. Now that I have come to a more compelling point in the story where the plot thickens, I have found a new area of interest and discussion that dwells much deeper than the relationship between two completely different people.

            After meeting the character of Nathanial Ayers, a man who once attended Julliard but ended up living on the streets as a result from schizophrenia, Steve Lopez spent an abundant amount of time learning and understanding his life style and the reason he lives as he does. As he studied and developed a friendship with Ayers, he would write about this man and his living conditions. After reading the descriptive writings of Lopez, the mayor of Los Angeles had decided to take a tour of skid house row where Nathanial was residing. The shock of what he was witnessing, the terrible conditioning and living arrangements, inspired him to dedicate $50 million to housing facilities like that of skid row.

            This point has left the greatest impact and created the most important message for me in the story thus far. It left me with the belief that it is possible to make a change regardless of how large the project or task is you are faced with. Steve Lopez never gave up on the story of Nathanial Ayers, which resulted in $50 million being provided to housing. A simple article on a talented man with no home now has capability of changing the lives of many unfortunate people. Lopez’s article bringing upon change led me to believe he was creating a greater message to all readers that change is possible. This area of The Soloist created a deeper meaning to the story, which makes me excited to see what else Lopez’s article is capable of doing. 

Lauren Carbone 

English III 

Mr. Fiorini 

The Soloist Chapter 7-12

 

 

 In continuing to read The Soloist I have found that the story line has grown to be much more intriguing and the relationship between Ayer and Lopez is also being taken to a stronger level. Lopez was also developing a greater understanding of the hardships and difficulty Ayer is faced with in his living style, as well as beginning to question Ayer’s reasoning for living as he was. Lopez was beginning to see things in a new light as he began to spend more and more time with his new friend Nathaniel Ayer. 

All of these Qualities Lopez had discovered in developing a relationship with Nathaniel Ayer had changed his desire to help him from a simple job to a commitment. For someone to spend the night on skid row with a mentally ill man shows something much deeper than a story to write, but signifies true care and devotion. It is possible that there is a stronger meaning to Lopez’s interest in Nathaniel, which is leading him to take this unique friendship to a whole different level.  

I am curious to see how the rest of this story unfolds and see if this friendship is able to remain together or fall apart. In my opinion and interesting twist is still to come that will change the friendship Lopez and Ayer have built up. 

Lauren Carbone

English III

Mr. Fiorini

The Soloist Chapters 1-6

 

 

            In reading The Soloist by author and reporter Steve Lopez, I have taken an interest not only in the extremely unique friendship that has developed between characters, but also the first person point of view the text was presented in. From what I have currently read of the Soloist, I have found it to be a fairly different piece of writing compared to the literary styles of the previous authors we have studied thus far. The unique writing style of Lopez and the rare relationship between Nathanial Ayer and Lopez himself, has created a sequence that intrigues readers to continue further into the story.

            Steve Lopez delivers his story as a reporter seeking to find a new and interesting story. His first person perspective and non-fictional genre separate his writings from the others we have read in class. Lopez in my opinion has a fairly simple style of writing and also portrays things exactly as they seem to happen, opposed to using fictional imagery as many authors do to provide a mental picture to their readers. The simple and relatively modern text style makes The Soloist an easy read that doesn’t drag on or involve a complicated storyline.

            Another aspect of the first few chapters I found interesting is the friendship between Nathanial Ayer and Lopez. This kept me interested in the story because of the situation with Ayer’s unstable mental condition and how Lopez was so willing to put forth an effort in helping him. In my opinion deciding to write and article on the homeless and mentally ill musician was an extremely bold act. I say so because not many reporters take the position on writing to help someone of that nature and can be rather risky to their career. In general I think he is providing a positive message by writing a book involving the relationship between himself and this less fortunate man. It sends across the message that everyone has potential and sometimes just need help to reach the standards they are capable of reaching.