Upon my completion for reading The Soloist, I have to say that it was a nice break from the past readings that we have had this year. The thing that i enjoyed most about The Soloist is that it was real! Unlike the other books we have read this one was actually a true story about real people and their real problems. That is why I think I enjoyed reading this book so much, it had me hooked from beginning to end because as I was reading it I knew what I was reading actually happened. Even better is that these events are still currently happening and are ongoing with Lopez and Ayers. I think this is why this book had me hooked.
As far as chapters 23-31 go they same things basically occurred, other than a fight or two. A fight did arise between Ayers and Lopez where Ayers' condition did get the best of him. Ayers says a lot of nasty things to Lopez and at this point Lopez could have easily started to avoid Ayers and given up their relationship. But, Lopez accepts Ayers for who he is and disregards the things he said about him. He knows Ayers for the great person he is inside and knows and accepts him for his sickness. Their friendship is far more than it once started out as a few newspaper articles.
This book is a story about two unlike people that form a friendship because one of them is an ambitious journalist that seeks the goodness in people, and the other is a person down on his luck that needs a friend. They form the eternal bond that is a good friendship. They are still friends to this day, far past the time the book was written. And I will assume that the great bond that is their friendship will go on for many many more years to come.
Focus: Overall content of my post.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Soloist 13-22
Chapters 13-22 of "The Soloist" was filled with the things that I was hoping and expecting going into the reading of it. It was enjoyable finding out that I was actually right in guessing what would happen next in a book, even though this one was kind of obvious. It got me excited. Lopez and Ayers' friendship grows stronger and they experience many more encounters with one another. Ayers grows more and more comfortable with Lopez and I believe begins to see him as a real friend and someone who cares for him. However, once in a while Ayers' "condition" will act up from time to time but nothing too serious to destroy or ruin their friendship.
Lopez seeks answers in this section of the book. He looks for answers to see if what he is doing is worth it for Ayers and whether or not it is helping him. He visits many doctors with many different points of view. Some believe he should be on medication, while others believe in the get to know their patients and their point of view, then make a decision. But almost all them seem to agree that Lopez is helping Ayers. Friendship seems to be a key and perhaps, the best medication for Ayers' problem. Lopez is in my opinion helping him whether the doctors agree or not, everyone needs a friend. Someone they can talk to and be there for them in tough times. And Ayers is indeed going through some seriosuly difficult times.
I think in these chapters is where we start to see the meaning of this book and what it is really trying to tell us. How we handle and accept those of mental illnesses in America, also how poverty and race are taken into that effect. It also shows how people can cope with their problems, not so much with medicine or a prescription from a doctor but by doing things they love. It shows how a simple love for music can help someone through tough times in their life. Ayers never gives up playing or listening to the thing he loves most, music. He does not let his schizophrenia hold him down, he is truly a strong person.
Focus: Last paragraph.
Lopez seeks answers in this section of the book. He looks for answers to see if what he is doing is worth it for Ayers and whether or not it is helping him. He visits many doctors with many different points of view. Some believe he should be on medication, while others believe in the get to know their patients and their point of view, then make a decision. But almost all them seem to agree that Lopez is helping Ayers. Friendship seems to be a key and perhaps, the best medication for Ayers' problem. Lopez is in my opinion helping him whether the doctors agree or not, everyone needs a friend. Someone they can talk to and be there for them in tough times. And Ayers is indeed going through some seriosuly difficult times.
I think in these chapters is where we start to see the meaning of this book and what it is really trying to tell us. How we handle and accept those of mental illnesses in America, also how poverty and race are taken into that effect. It also shows how people can cope with their problems, not so much with medicine or a prescription from a doctor but by doing things they love. It shows how a simple love for music can help someone through tough times in their life. Ayers never gives up playing or listening to the thing he loves most, music. He does not let his schizophrenia hold him down, he is truly a strong person.
Focus: Last paragraph.
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Soloist 7-12
This weeks readings really helped my understanding and getting to know of Steve Lopez. It showed me what kind of writer he is. In the one article Lopez took an interest in a young woman who played basketball, nicknamed "Sweets." Lopez got so in depth in this story with loads of background information and other important details to help connect to his readers. I think this is relevant because it shows that Nathaniel Ayers was not the only person who he got in depth with for a story. However, he did take a greater interest in Ayers considering the fact that they are still close friends, a book on his story has been released, and a movie as well. The point is that it shows that he is a good journalist who takes a great interest in what he is writing about and always finds the "story beneath the story" and that to me is the mark of a not only a great writer but a great journalist.
In chapters 7-12 this is where it seems that Lopez and others take a greater and in depth look at Ayers mental illness, paranoid schizophrenia. It is in these chapters that I think Lopez starts to see Ayers as more of a friend rather than just some random bum on the street giving him some creative writing to put in his column. A bond is forming between them and it shows. Lopez takes a bigger interest in Ayers. He begins to care about Ayers and Ayers begins to trust and believe in Lopez. Ayers really didn't have any friends, anyone to talk to, or anyone to really care for him or about him. Lopez takes the role of that person in Ayers' life and in my opinion is someone that Ayers greatly needed. An example of this friendships growth is when Lopez spends a night with Ayers. Here we learn a little more about Ayers present life. He shows a side that not even Lopez knew. Lopez is shocked to see how Ayers lives every single day. He knew how to make a fit camp, he knew who to make his camp around, he knew how to hide his possessions so that they would not get stolen, and he knew how to defend himself against predators.
The relationship between these two unlikely is growing with every chapter so far. I keep learning new things about both of them. Examples include Ayers' somewhat bipolar like behavior like when Lopez wants to take him to Disney Hall. Also, how Ayers actually survives his sometimes seemingly scary life. As for Lopez I keep learning what it means to be a good journalist and how far you actually can go into stories as well as what type of influence you can be to someone who has had a rough couple years and needs a break. Part one was excited and I am looking forward to reading part two, hopefully it is full of more Disney Hall trips and overnighters with Ayers.
Focus: Any thoughts you have for this post, positive/negative so I can use for future posts.
In chapters 7-12 this is where it seems that Lopez and others take a greater and in depth look at Ayers mental illness, paranoid schizophrenia. It is in these chapters that I think Lopez starts to see Ayers as more of a friend rather than just some random bum on the street giving him some creative writing to put in his column. A bond is forming between them and it shows. Lopez takes a bigger interest in Ayers. He begins to care about Ayers and Ayers begins to trust and believe in Lopez. Ayers really didn't have any friends, anyone to talk to, or anyone to really care for him or about him. Lopez takes the role of that person in Ayers' life and in my opinion is someone that Ayers greatly needed. An example of this friendships growth is when Lopez spends a night with Ayers. Here we learn a little more about Ayers present life. He shows a side that not even Lopez knew. Lopez is shocked to see how Ayers lives every single day. He knew how to make a fit camp, he knew who to make his camp around, he knew how to hide his possessions so that they would not get stolen, and he knew how to defend himself against predators.
The relationship between these two unlikely is growing with every chapter so far. I keep learning new things about both of them. Examples include Ayers' somewhat bipolar like behavior like when Lopez wants to take him to Disney Hall. Also, how Ayers actually survives his sometimes seemingly scary life. As for Lopez I keep learning what it means to be a good journalist and how far you actually can go into stories as well as what type of influence you can be to someone who has had a rough couple years and needs a break. Part one was excited and I am looking forward to reading part two, hopefully it is full of more Disney Hall trips and overnighters with Ayers.
Focus: Any thoughts you have for this post, positive/negative so I can use for future posts.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Soloist 1-6
So far, the first six chapters of "The Soloist" have been a nice break from our past class readings. I have enjoyed the book so far and hope it stays at this enjoyable pace for me. The main reason why I think I am enjoying more than others is it's structure and the way Steve Lopez wrote it. Lopez's style of writing is a nice break from the perfect and predictable structure of other writers. Lopez writes this book in what seems to me as a big newspaper article so far, (thanks to the pointing out of Mr. Fiorini.) The way it is written so far makes it an easier read.
The newspaper feel makes it easier to read because newspapers are made for a wide spread audience, suitable for all people and ages. The fact that this story is real also makes me want to read it more because i know it is based on actual events and actual people. Nathaniel Ayers is a troubled man living in the tunnels of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. He is found by Steve Lopez, a journalist for a local newspaper who was actually seeking out a different story but stumbles upon this amazing young man, Nathaniel Ayers. He finds Ayers playing a violin on a small street corner, he notices two things. One, he notices how well Ayers is actually playing, despite his low knowledge of classical music. And two, he notices that Ayers is playing his violin with only two strings. His first visit leads him to one newspaper article in Ayers' honor.
Lopez becomes so fascinated with Ayers after the first visit. He frequently tries to keep visiting Ayers and find out what his story is. He finds out a couple of things after a few more visits. He finds out that Ayers attended Julliard, that he lives in the tunnels of Skid Row, and that he suffers from schizophrenia. His illness led him to drop out of the predigious Julliard. Lopez may be a believer in the old saying, "never judge a book by it's cover." If he had, he may have never met Ayers, never made this book, and the new movie adapted from the book would never have been made. The first six chapters have been great and I am looking forward to reading the rest of this book.
Focus: Opening paragraph
The newspaper feel makes it easier to read because newspapers are made for a wide spread audience, suitable for all people and ages. The fact that this story is real also makes me want to read it more because i know it is based on actual events and actual people. Nathaniel Ayers is a troubled man living in the tunnels of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. He is found by Steve Lopez, a journalist for a local newspaper who was actually seeking out a different story but stumbles upon this amazing young man, Nathaniel Ayers. He finds Ayers playing a violin on a small street corner, he notices two things. One, he notices how well Ayers is actually playing, despite his low knowledge of classical music. And two, he notices that Ayers is playing his violin with only two strings. His first visit leads him to one newspaper article in Ayers' honor.
Lopez becomes so fascinated with Ayers after the first visit. He frequently tries to keep visiting Ayers and find out what his story is. He finds out a couple of things after a few more visits. He finds out that Ayers attended Julliard, that he lives in the tunnels of Skid Row, and that he suffers from schizophrenia. His illness led him to drop out of the predigious Julliard. Lopez may be a believer in the old saying, "never judge a book by it's cover." If he had, he may have never met Ayers, never made this book, and the new movie adapted from the book would never have been made. The first six chapters have been great and I am looking forward to reading the rest of this book.
Focus: Opening paragraph
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
