The Soloist by Steve Lopez so far seems to be a pretty interesting story. If I didn’t know this book was based on a true story, I probably would have thought it to be fiction. So far, the story of Nathaniel Ayers seems to be sad yet inspiring. Sad because he has lost everything and is now on the streets, but inspiring because you see that even though this man has lost everything, he still sticks to his passion and wouldn’t give it up for the world. Even though he is on the streets and needs to try and find a job or a place to live, he really seems to not be concerned with any of it. He doesn’t even try to play his violin for money. He plays just for the sake of playing, and just because he loves it.
Another surprising element to this story is the fact that Nathaniel Ayers once attended Julliard, one of the most high profile schools for music in the world. Who would think that a person living in the streets playing a two-string violin once attended Julliard? No one. Even after hearing him play and the level of his skill Steve Lopez still couldn’t believe it and had to research it. Ayers even knew some of the world’s most recognized musicians like Yoyo Ma and a few others.
I look forward to reading the rest of this story and seeing what happens next. This is actually one of the few, if not the only book we’re had to read this year that I actually want to read. I guess because it deals with music and I love music. Or maybe because it’s a true story. I like to read about or watch movies about true stories because it makes me think about if I were in their situation what would I do? I hope this book keeps me thinking. I look forward to seeing what happens in the end and finding out more about Nathaniel Ayers.