I Finished Reading The Soloist

It's a pretty balanced book, hopeful but realistic. The author is honest and questions his own motives for helping the musician. He's accused publicly, at a meeting, of exploiting Nathaniel Ayers, and it is horrible for Lopez. He has struggled with that very thought from his first column about the man. But Lopez's presence in Ayers' life has made an incredible impact, and the light Lopez's articles have shined on Skid Row in downtown L.A. has brought local awareness to this forgotten place and has caused the mayor to get involved. And now the book and upcoming movie will hopefully get more people to recognize and talk about mental illness. It is not something one can improve with a better attitude. It is not a choice. It is the deepest hole there is, but people have climbed out or been pulled out by the right combinations of medication, therapy, and people who refused to give up on them.