The Soloist final post

First, I would like to say that overall I really enjoyed this book. It was very exciting and page-turning. Also, It was definitely nice to read something modern. For once i didn't dread having to get to the end of the book, I was actually anxious to finish it this time.

In these last few chapters, I think that Lopez really got it. In the beginning, he thought that he could completely fix Nathaniel. He was torn between medication or psychiatry. There is no miracle pill or person that could fix someone with a mental disability. Lopez didn't realize that until the last few chapters of the book. The very first paragraph of Chapter 27 says it all. When he says, "I cant quite let go of the possibility that there will be a breakthrough," he goes on to say "I'm not ever going to heal him. Dr. Ragins has had it right all along. The best thing I can do for Nathaniel is be his friend." This paragraph really shows that he realizes that there's no miracle for Nathaniel and being friends with him is the best thing to be. He doesn't need Lopez to be his watch out or his doctor.

I enjoyed the end of the book. It was realistic, their was no fake fairytale ending where Nathaniel magically gets a job, house, and a family. The book had a real ending, just like how it would happen in real life. People cant magically get better, things progress over time. You cant rush things like Lopez tried to do with Nathaniel. Over the past months in the book, Lopez did things like get him the apartment, invite him to rehearsals and shows, and even invited him over his house with his family. A few months cant change a mental person. Its a long process that you have to be patient with. The best thing to do was to be friends with Nathaniel and that's what Lopez did. Staying friends and keeping in touch with Nathaniel over the years is the best thing to do. Though some symptoms of his disease might not fully go away, I know that they both learned a lot from each other and changed each others lives.

In conclusion, this book was very enjoyable. Both Nathaniel and Lopezs lives were changed from the day they met. A loving friendship was formed despite Nathaniel's mental illness. Lopez was willing to help him from the start and their bond grew stronger everyday they were with each other. They learned things they didn't know before and will think and act differently because of the friendship they created.

When reading this, you could focus on the structure and flow of this blog.

The Soloist Ch. 13-22

For this blog, I would like to start off with something that I found interesting. In chapter 14, Lopez asks himself "Is he happy?" Is Nathaniel actually happy with his life? I think that's a really great question that he brought up. He is a homeless middle aged man living in the dangerous streets of LA with no money, no food, no anything. Nathaniel has only the voices in his head and his instrument filled shopping cart. I know for sure that if I was living on the streets I wouldn't be happy. However, for a person with a mental illness, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't mind sleeping on the concrete ground or going a few days without showering. But does that still mean that they're happy and content with their lives?

Nathaniel seems to have everything he wants in life, and its not much. He seems to be content with his space on Skid Row and his instruments. He doesn't quite understand how dangerous and unsafe it is out in the streets though. It's ironic because he's out there every single day, witnessing what goes on. He sees the people lighting up crack pipes and the prostitutes at work. It's like his illness is blinding his brain from what he sees. It doesn't seem to register in his brain how he is putting his safety on the line, and his mental state also.

At this point, Lopez is getting really frustrated with everything. He is trying his hardest to get Nathaniel into the apartment. He even reserved the place just for Nathaniel. He wants to make sure that when or if Nathaniel comes around and finally wants to move in to the apartment, it will be there and be ready for him. However, I myself don't think the apartment will do him any justice if he doesn't get some kind of medical help. Not necessarily just medicine, but therapy also might steer him on the right track.

Speaking of medicine and therapy, Lopez seems very confused on how to exactly help Nathaniel's mental illness. Even though he's met many doctors the past few months and got advice and such, Lopez still is confused and frustrated. He doesn't quite know if he should force Nathaniel, or continue waiting for him to come around to get help. Will medicine help him, or is therapy that he needs?

Some points to focus on while reading my blog are the structure and flow of it.

The Soloist Ch. 7-12

Now that I'm farther into the book, I see that things are really progressing. I feel as though Nathaniel is also. Even though he is slowly progressing, it's better than no progression at all. In chapter 10, Nathaniel is confronted by Alexis Riviera, he is captivated and decides to introduce himself. Riviera asks him to play at Little Pedro's Blue Bongo, at first he declines, but he finally goes there and preforms. He shows up late and isn't playing perfectly on stage, but it has been a long time since he has done this. The cause is most likely the combination of his nervousness and his state of mind.

Lopez and Nathaniel are quite close now. I definitely think that through these past few chapters they've gotten closer and have a much stronger bond. Lopez has taken him under his wing. He is slowly pushing him towards Lamp, to stay there and get off the streets. He has made his own personal office into a storage space for Nathaniel, just for his safety. Also, he brought him to watch a rehearsal of The Philharmonic. All of these things scream out how important Nathaniel is to Lopez.

While Lopez is becoming closer and more comfortable with Nathaniel, there are important people he is leaving behind. His wife and his daughter. Although I think its great that Lopez has found such interest in Nathaniel, he cant just push his family to the side. Lopez is totally preoccupied with Nathaniel at this point. He even says that he never gets to see Caroline, his daughter, anymore. He says she's sleeping by the time he gets home, that's if he ever actually goes home. He has slept outside on Skid Row with Nathaniel. Lopez couldn't stand it out there so he checked into a hotel for two hours. By putting himself in Nathaniel's shoes, I think Lopez probably feels even worse now.

In the next few chapters, I hope Lopez will manage his time right. He definitely shouldn't be leaving out his family. He could always incorporate them in his ordeals. For example, if Nathaniel was preforming one night or if they were going to watch someone else preform, Lopez could easily invite his wife and child. Lopez is totally overwhelmed with Nathaniel and how to get him better.

When reading this, points to focus on are the actual ideas that I've stated. Maybe you could tell me If you agree with them or if theirs something else on your mind while reading this blog.

The Soloist

After reading these first few chapters, I'm on the edge of my seat. I'm pretty anxious to finish the book because I feel that there are a lot of things yet to unfold. For example, Nathaniel's mental health. I'm wondering what might be wrong, maybe schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, I'm not sure but I'm pretty excited to find out. Also, id like to find out what may have caused this behavior. I'm thinking that maybe his mental disorder is a result of his childhood or family issues.

Obviously, I'm enjoying this book so far. Something in the book I found really interesting was in chapter 6. When Lopez is in Dr. Ragin's office, Ragin's say to him "If Nathaniel is going to get better, it won't be because of a correct diagnosis and textbook treatment program, but because he develops enough trust in me and others to pursue his own recovery." When I read that I thought, wow, that's really true. By searching long endless hours, going around talking to hundreds of doctors will not help Nathaniel, that wont solve anything. I feel that it's very important that Lopez heard that because he can really help Nathaniel, especially now, after hearing what Dr. Ragin's had to say.

I love the contrast between Lopez, the successful journalist, and Nathaniel, the ex Julliard student gone homeless. It's a very different combination. Its sort of a change from the not so modern books we've previously read. Also, this story has a lot of mystery in it, when reading, It gets me thinking and it keeps me up on the edge of my seat. I'm absolutely looking forward to the chapters ahead.

Points to focus on when reading this are flow and structure, but I'm also welcome to any grammatical comments you'd like to make.