The Soloist by Steve Lopez

While looking for a story L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez discovers a homeless man playing violin in a tunnel.  As Mr. Lopez gets to know Nathaniel Ayers he becomes his friend and tries to help him.  Mr. Ayers was a promising musician studying at Julliard until he developed schizophrenia after his first year at school.  He ended up on the streets of L.A. playing the violin.  The book, The Soloist, developed from a series of columns that Steve Lopez wrote about Nathaniel Ayers.  I enjoyed reading The Soloist.  It was sad that he had to deal with a terrible illness, but it was uplifting to read about the people who befriended him, such as several of the musicians of the L.A. Philharmonic, and of course Mr. Lopez.  Also it was inspiring to read of people who were touched by his story and gave him new instruments.  He was given a new cello and a couple of violins.  The Soloist is an inspiring story showing the power of friendship and music to help keep people going when faced with a debilitating disease like schizophrenia.