The Soloist: Chapters 7-12

Now after reading and looking more into the book, I can see that things are really progressing. I feel as though Steve Lopez did some more research about Nathaniel Ayers. Being that he is slowly progressing, it's better than no progression at all. I think that once Lopez saw this he immediately felt the need to help him. He shows up late and isn't playing perfectly on stage, but it has been a long time since he has done this. I feel sorry for Nathaniel because he is homeless and lonely. He is still separated from an average homeless person, being that he lives on the street that doesn’t really seem to bother him. From the drug abuse and the heroin addicts, muggers, fights, drugs, and slums, there is an innocent man with nothing but his instrument. He seems really independent and I really admire that confidence in him. He definitely shouldn't be leaving out his family. He could always incorporate them in his ordeals. By putting himself in Nathaniel's shoes, I think Lopez probably feels even worse now. Lopez is totally overwhelmed with Nathaniel and how to get him better.

The Soloist:Chapters 1-6

After reading chapters 1 threw 6, I can really say that The Soloist is starting to be a really good book. Throughout the story Lopez shows his true feelings of Nathaniel, which is something that most people don’t show anymore. Lopez only talked to Nathaniel for a short amount of time, but after that Lopez worried about Nathaniel’s well being. They began to have a unique friendship that develops, mainly because Lopez wants to help bring those talents out in Nathaniel.

 In the story Lopez writes his story as a news reporter just trying to find something new to talk about. He seems to write about people that have overcame stuff throughout their life, which connected him to Nathaniel. He also has been in a similar situation as Nathaniel, which connects to their friendship and connection. Lopez writes about how Nathaniel was a Julliard alumnus who lives on the streets of LA who he stumbles across that plays a two-string violin. After writing about Nathaniel many people were sending in various violins and cellos to give to him. But since he lived on the street Lopez was unsure if he should give them to him due to the surroundings at night.

So far I am really enjoying the book not just because it has something to do with music, but because of the writings of Steve Lopez. In my opinion I believe that Lopez is a simple but creative writer and writes about things directly as he remembers them.

           

           

The Catcher in the Rye

During this past week or two I’ve been reading The Catcher in The Rye, which is a book based around the main character named Holden Caulfield.

This book starts off with Caulfield standing on a hill watching his schools football game. Being that this was his fourth school he has attended, this was due to him failing out of his first three schools he had attended. Caulfield is now about to be expelled from his current school, Pencey High.  After failing four out of the five classes at his current school its now the second time. I went into the book with an open mind and had a different appeal on things.  Holden was seen as an agitated young man who took the frustrations he had for himself out on those who surrounded him. The frustrations towards people were seen, as Holden would speak of his hatred of phonies and his agitation towards his roommates in Pencey High. I found the author to be successful in portraying how Holden felt in situations throughout the book by making the main character tell the story. He spoke as if he were writing his emotions in a journal, presenting each idea with details.

Something that I have found of Salinger’s writing was that Holden was extremely observant. An event in the book a part in the story that made my thoughts kind of true was when he compared the behaviors of his two roommates Stradlater and Ackley. Holden judged everyone he saw and that’s not a way someone should live through life, it makes your confidence go up sure but it still isn’t right.