Book 67 -- The Soloist
Book 67-- The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Attendees:
Amy Marr
Jami Walsh
Carol Conti
Nick Conti
Emily Haley
arah Jay
Kids:
Theo
Sleeper
Caitie
Giana
Thomas
Enjoyment:
Amy: -- liked it
Carol: -- liked it
Nick: -- liked it
Jami: -- liked it, quick read.
Emily: -- Liked it
Sarah: -- obviously written by journalist, liked it.
1. Music plays an extremely important theme throughout the book. How can music heal or help a person?
N -- soothes the savage beast
A -- calms you when you're stressed. Can lift you up if you're depressed
J -- gives you a person
S -- it's a hobby. Gives you something to do.
2. Does Nathaniel Ayers feel he has a purpose in this world? If so, what does he feel his purpose is?
J -- his pourpose is to play music and teach people about the music
N -- he has a purpose to rid the world of trash and scum...all he needs is a cape.
3. Does Nathaniel Ayers find contentment and happiness in this world? If so, how?
A -- yes, when he plays music
N -- or when he's listening to music
C -- when his brain is clear
4. Does Steve Lopez find contentment and happiness in this world? If so, how?
N -- he does when he feels that he's getting through to Nathaniel and some progress is being made.
C -- didn't get the impression that Steve was down on his luck. But, it eventually became personal and he wanted to fix it.
A -- he used to find fulfillment in his job when he could see results.
C -- created new challenges...like the musical instruments and keeping Nathaniel safe.
5. From the beginning, Steve Lopez is on a crusade to "save" Nathaniel Ayers. Does he? Can he? How?
N -- not the way he originally intended
C -- the word "save" is open to interpretation. He adapted over the course of their relationship.
6. Steve Lopez reached out to the community to provide music and instruments for Nathaniel Ayers. Why do you feel the community was so receptive and generous?
C -- touched a chord with people how have personal experience with mental illness.
N -- it's a safe way to help out
S -- musicians are similar to knitters...always willing to lend a spare instrument and help out.
7. Steve Lopez works tirelessly to find a home for Nathaniel Ayers where he would be safe. Why does Ayers resist LAMP? What is beneficial and what is harmful to Ayers at LAMP?
N -- LAMP is too structured. It's the system...the system failed him before.
J -- hit it on the head with the medications. A lot of artists with mental illness feel that they cannot create their art on the meds.
N -- he doesn't see the new meds are different than the old meds.
S -- he can't see the subtleties.
8. By writing numerous columns following the progression of events with Ayers, Lopez is in effect making money from the stories. Does this put any responsibility on Lopez for Ayers' safety and well-being?
A -- thought about that when he had the "altercation". Lopez resented being labeled as part of the establishment. He's a journalist, it's his job to report on the news. No, he wasn't responsible.
N -- it's about the why he's doing it. He's not doing things for the sake of the story. He was emotionally invested in the story.
J -- you could make the argument that a portion of the proceeds from the book should go toward his care.
9. Do you feel that Nathaniel Ayers is exploited in any way throughout the book by Steve Lopez and/or Alexis Rivera?
Discussed in previous question.
10. Is it ethical to force a mentally ill person into treatment against their will?
N -- YES!
A -- if they're a danger to themselves or others
C -- this was an episode of Law and Order.
Em related a personal story.
11. How do you feel about the relationship between Nathaniel Ayers and Steve Lopez? Did they form a true friendship? What is it based on? Is it an equal friendship? Does it need to be?
S -- it's a friendship. They appreciate each other.
N -- they got in a fight and then they got over it.
S -- they're friends to the extent that Nathaniel is capable of it.
Discussed their friendship in detail and the use of first name vs. Mr. + last name.
Upcoming Books:
November's Book: Three Bagsful by Leoni Swann
December's Book: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Next Meeting January 9, 2010 Em's House
Attendees:
Amy Marr
Jami Walsh
Carol Conti
Nick Conti
Emily Haley
arah Jay
Kids:
Theo
Sleeper
Caitie
Giana
Thomas
Enjoyment:
Amy: -- liked it
Carol: -- liked it
Nick: -- liked it
Jami: -- liked it, quick read.
Emily: -- Liked it
Sarah: -- obviously written by journalist, liked it.
1. Music plays an extremely important theme throughout the book. How can music heal or help a person?
N -- soothes the savage beast
A -- calms you when you're stressed. Can lift you up if you're depressed
J -- gives you a person
S -- it's a hobby. Gives you something to do.
2. Does Nathaniel Ayers feel he has a purpose in this world? If so, what does he feel his purpose is?
J -- his pourpose is to play music and teach people about the music
N -- he has a purpose to rid the world of trash and scum...all he needs is a cape.
3. Does Nathaniel Ayers find contentment and happiness in this world? If so, how?
A -- yes, when he plays music
N -- or when he's listening to music
C -- when his brain is clear
4. Does Steve Lopez find contentment and happiness in this world? If so, how?
N -- he does when he feels that he's getting through to Nathaniel and some progress is being made.
C -- didn't get the impression that Steve was down on his luck. But, it eventually became personal and he wanted to fix it.
A -- he used to find fulfillment in his job when he could see results.
C -- created new challenges...like the musical instruments and keeping Nathaniel safe.
5. From the beginning, Steve Lopez is on a crusade to "save" Nathaniel Ayers. Does he? Can he? How?
N -- not the way he originally intended
C -- the word "save" is open to interpretation. He adapted over the course of their relationship.
6. Steve Lopez reached out to the community to provide music and instruments for Nathaniel Ayers. Why do you feel the community was so receptive and generous?
C -- touched a chord with people how have personal experience with mental illness.
N -- it's a safe way to help out
S -- musicians are similar to knitters...always willing to lend a spare instrument and help out.
7. Steve Lopez works tirelessly to find a home for Nathaniel Ayers where he would be safe. Why does Ayers resist LAMP? What is beneficial and what is harmful to Ayers at LAMP?
N -- LAMP is too structured. It's the system...the system failed him before.
J -- hit it on the head with the medications. A lot of artists with mental illness feel that they cannot create their art on the meds.
N -- he doesn't see the new meds are different than the old meds.
S -- he can't see the subtleties.
8. By writing numerous columns following the progression of events with Ayers, Lopez is in effect making money from the stories. Does this put any responsibility on Lopez for Ayers' safety and well-being?
A -- thought about that when he had the "altercation". Lopez resented being labeled as part of the establishment. He's a journalist, it's his job to report on the news. No, he wasn't responsible.
N -- it's about the why he's doing it. He's not doing things for the sake of the story. He was emotionally invested in the story.
J -- you could make the argument that a portion of the proceeds from the book should go toward his care.
9. Do you feel that Nathaniel Ayers is exploited in any way throughout the book by Steve Lopez and/or Alexis Rivera?
Discussed in previous question.
10. Is it ethical to force a mentally ill person into treatment against their will?
N -- YES!
A -- if they're a danger to themselves or others
C -- this was an episode of Law and Order.
Em related a personal story.
11. How do you feel about the relationship between Nathaniel Ayers and Steve Lopez? Did they form a true friendship? What is it based on? Is it an equal friendship? Does it need to be?
S -- it's a friendship. They appreciate each other.
N -- they got in a fight and then they got over it.
S -- they're friends to the extent that Nathaniel is capable of it.
Discussed their friendship in detail and the use of first name vs. Mr. + last name.
Upcoming Books:
November's Book: Three Bagsful by Leoni Swann
December's Book: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Next Meeting January 9, 2010 Em's House