JCOT summer.indd


      COMMON READING

The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive 
Power of Music

by Steve Lopez
Published by Berkeley Books, 2008, 289 pages

Reviewed by:
Darrell C. Ray (dcray5@lsu.edu), Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Adjunct 
Faculty, College of Education, Louisiana State University

 There is great potential for personal development in interpersonal relationships. The 
Soloist is a book that delves into the impact that relationships and human interaction can have. 
The novel centers on the interaction, growth, and an eventual close, personal relationship that 
develops between Steve Lopez and Nathanial Ayers. Lopez, the author and a newspaper 
columnist for the Los Angeles Times, is keenly aware of how the world around him can intersect 
and lead to his next story. After decades in the newspaper industry, Lopez’s life takes an 
interesting turn after a chance meeting with Nathanial Ayers—a homeless, African American 
man in his fifties, skillfully playing a violin in the midst of chaotic Los Angeles. Lopez is 
intrigued by the oxymoron of a talented musician who is also homeless. Assuming that this is a 
story waiting to be told, Lopez introduces himself to Ayers, and their journey begins. 
 This chance meeting with Ayers as Lopez makes his way to work ultimately alters both 
their lives and expands the author’s sense of self beyond what he could have imagined. It is 
revealed that Ayers, a native of Ohio who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, is an accomplished 
musician who once studied at the Julliard School. His life slowly began to unravel under the 
grip of a worsening mental disorder which initially went unnoticed but was later diagnosed as 
schizophrenia. The intense pressure of the competitive Julliard environment of the 1970s only 
exacerbated his mental condition. The story explores his downward spiral and the collateral 
damage that ensues upon his friends, family, and dreams. 
 Throughout the novel, Lopez’s interactions with Ayers pique the former’s curiosity and 
challenge his worldview. The author spends an inordinate amount of time trying to understand 
how he can help him. Through a series of newspaper columns, attention is brought to Ayers’ 
plight and the mentally ill and forgotten ones trapped in similar circumstances. The experience 
also reacquaints Ayers with the broader family of other musicians. The power of music to 
connect, heal, and educate is masterfully communicated in this novel. Ayers’ life is explained in 
the context of his passion for music. It creates a place of solace, and music is the one thing in 
his life that he feels he can control. 
 Lopez tells Ayers’ story through the dual lens of observer and ultimately close friend. 
The novel illustrates the dynamics of friendship and how people change one another in 
relationships. The author frames for the reader the impact that mental illness can have on lives 
and relationships. While other characters are very much a part of the plot, their importance is 
situated neatly in the folds of the two men’s friendship. Lopez’s supportive relationship with 
his wife and Ayers’ changing relationship with his sister are woven throughout the story. 
Various other characters representing the mental health realm and the city and state 

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government are interspersed throughout the novel, but their importance is indicated in terms 
of how they influence the direction of the relationship between Ayers and Lopez. 
 One important aspect of the plot is Lopez’s personal growth. He acknowledges the duality 
(self-promotion and humanitarian) in his desire to help Ayers. Lopez realizes that he has gained more 
from the journey of their relationship than he ever could have hoped. While Ayers exhibits growth 
and change throughout the process, the text illustrates that the power and impact of mental illness is 
immeasurable. As the two men’s friendship is ongoing, there is not necessarily a point of closure to 
the novel; however, the glimpse into the evolution of the main characters is profound. 
 When placed in the context of higher education, this novel connects with multiple points of 
the curricula and can challenge students to apply the information in a variety of ways. Disciplines 
within the social sciences, humanities, arts, education, business, science, and journalism and mass 
communication can easily establish connections with this novel. The multiple discussion points 
would allow an institution to challenge students’ current levels of reasoning and promote critical 
thinking around the cognitively complex aspects of the story. 
 Students in fi ne arts may evaluate how the power of music affects their own lives and 
performance. Critical discussion can occur on how students can balance the demands of the 
discipline while continuing to grow. Opportunities for interaction with upper-level students in fi ne 
arts may be an option for preparing students for adjusting to the pressure of performing at the next 
level. 
 Mental illness and society’s treatment of those affected are critical aspects of discussion for 
students in the social sciences, education, and humanities. Students may discuss what society’s 
response and responsibility should be to those impacted and displaced by mental illness. 
Depending on the students’ area of study, additional conversations can occur on aspects of treatment 
options and patient rights for the mentally ill. Public policy aspects of the novel can be discussed 
within the disciplines of social sciences (e.g., political science, public policy) and business. While 
big industry is not a major component of the text, discussion on gentrifi cation, urban development, 
and economics can blend well within business disciplines. 
 Analytical discussions on the areas such as testing and the role of the K–12 school system 
can occur within the education disciplines. Potential educators may contemplate the role and 
responsibility of the school system in serving the diagnosed and undiagnosed students. Since this 
debate is not a new one in education, new perspectives can be presented to students based upon 
changes in law. Consequently, the role of the higher education in supporting and serving students 
with mental illness can be addressed. 
 Mass communication and related disciplines may utilize this text in a number of ways. Topics 
include discussing the impact of media on the characters’ lives and how that power is harnessed to 
bring about change. Roles and responsibilities of those in the media can be tackled based on the dual 
role of Lopez as newspaper columnist and friend. 
 Students may be challenged to reframe their thinking or understand how to articulate their 
stance on issues presented in the novel. The dialogue that ensues can foster civic engagement and 
community service activities. Lopez’s gifts of his time, energy, and resources ultimately have an 
impact on the community. Establishing the importance of service in the community is a lesson that 
many institutions attempt to instill in their students.
 This novel can serve as a conversation starter. Because there is an accompanying fi lm, 
opportunities to discuss how the fi lm portrays and interprets the text is an option. Having guest
speakers in a more discipline-specifi c aspect will allow students to connect the information and 

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understand the novel in a personal and meaningful way. Promoting critical thinking and discussions 
close to their academic discipline may also assist students in processing the multiple layers that can 
exist in literature. Most importantly, institutions can communicate to students the importance of 
understanding the diversity and circumstances that their peers bring to the campus.

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