The Soloist

Just finished reading this book and I really love it :) The overview of the b ook is about Nathaniel Ayers an ex-Julliard student who never graduated due to Schizophernia and because of the illness is living on the streets. At the age of 50 plus after 30 over years of living on the streets, a LA newspaper columnist is intrigued by this man and decides to write a column about him. Soon, he gets involved with his life and subsequently helps this man by finding lodging for him, knowing more about his life and illness, feeding his passion and more...

What was really interesting to me was definitely reading about the life of an ex-Julliard student. Now, Julliard is a top notch conservatory that only the most talented is admitted into the school. One famous example is Yo-yo Ma. It was mentioned that Julliard indeed contained the best of talents and competition was high in Julliard, everyone would be practicing to their core. It is probably like Harvard or Cambridge but its in the music aspect.

But soon, reading about Nathaniel Ayer's simple life on the road and just doing what he loves, playing a 2 string violin was indeed inspiring. His love for music was undeniably sacred. In the book, not everything was about music. The author Steve Lopez's love, care and concern extended to Nathaniel was beautiful. It really is. It is really difficult for me to imagine a "stranger" turned friend could do so much to help a person. There were many people who helped Nathaniel Ayer's as well. It is really comforting to see people extending help to this person's life :) It reminded me that love is always the most important. Be it love for a partner, for a family member, for a friend, for a stranger... etc. As the Bible says, of all things, love IS the most important.

The book is indeed an inspirational read... and the movie will be out in April. I will definitely catch this movie :)

Love, hope & passion...

-LeB-