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