I found the book to be inspiring from a number of points of view. Anyone concerned about the plight of the homeless or working in mental health or human services could find the book well worth reading. The reader who is musically inclined or a lover of music will find it equally meaningful. What is has to say about those who contributed to the cause is inspiring, from any vantage point. A real boost if one's faith in humanity is tested in our times.

What I loved about this book is the lesson it teaches. In "The Soloist" by Steve Lopez, Nathaniel Ayers is a paranoid schizophrenic living on skid row, but he has a talent, a gift that few people possess. Nathaniel is a gifted musician who has attended Julliard, but was struck down with schizophrenia and fell through the cracks of the system and ended up on skid row. Steve Lopez who is a writer for the "Los Angeles Times" comes upon him one day and discovers a man with a story worth writing about.

In a process that takes time, Steve and Nathaniel become friends and Steve does a great deal to find a "cure" for his new friend and finds it frustrating that Nathaniel does not get better to a degree that Steve wants him to.

This book teaches that even though the paranoid schizophrenic may never be cured, a difference can still be made in their lives. It is not about making everything one hundred percent better, it is about small changes and providing a safe place for people to deal with their challenges. A fascinating read that has taught me to have more compassion towards people with mental illness and the importance of understanding that small changes are important and should not be under valued.

A very good and enlightening story about mental illness, friendship and passion.Walking along the strreets in Toronto and seeing many a homeless person.,I have always wondered deep inside ,why one would choose that life over another when given help from friends and family.Steve Lopez , in this true story relays his experiences as well as battle to not only understand but help a mentally ill musical genius he discovers on the strreets of LA.

It may have been a cliche story for a white man to befriend with a homeless black man, but the fact that Steve Lopez's experience was REAL and his choice of narration brings a tear or two the readers' eyes and the latter are reminded that anything is possible and everyone needs a friend... even those who are suffering mental disability such as Mr. Nathaniel Ayers himself.

I picked up this book, but did not start to read it until after I too saw the movie promo. From the first page I was hooked. This was a most amazing story, and the fact that it is true, makes it even more compelling. It was like I was Steve Lopez while I was reading this book, feeling all the excitement he must have felt when positive steps were made with Nathaniel, and all the frustrations when things took a bad turn. What a true friend Mr. Lopez is, and what an amazing person Nathaniel is to have lived with such talent, and such a debilitating mental illness. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a heart and is passionate about something in their life. Nathaniel and Steve are tremendous heroes.

I'll admit, I picked up thisbook because I saw the preview for the movie. It chronicles 2 years in Lopez's life as he tries to improve the life of homeless Nathaniel Ayers, a former cello protege and now homeless person with mental illness.
You would have to be heartless not to feel a warm gush as Ayers life improves, and as you learn about his love of music, and how it saw him through the hard years.
My favorite part is when Lopez casually mentions how much everyone else dislikes Ayers. He is rude, confrontaional, and recieving special treatment due to Lopez's articles about him. Lopez doesn't care about that, he only sees Ayer are a friend, genius and something to believe in.