Camille Franchine
May 8, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English 3
The Soloist
Chapters 1-6 of the Soloists are a great introduction to the rest of the story. Steve sets up how he first saw Nathaniel and how his interest in him was sparked. It shows how his interest continued and how he became more and more attached to him.
Steve Lopez is a writer for the newspaper who lives in New York. One day he comes across a homeless man who is playing a violin with only two strings. He immediately thinks that this man would make a great story for the newspaper. He talks to the man and finds out that his name is Nathaniel, and is a former Julliard student and has a mental disability. He contacts the man’s sister and a former teacher to find out how he got where he was.
After writing his first article about Nathaniel, he finds out that this story is a hit. People call Steve to ask about Nathaniel and other people wish to send Nathaniel new instruments. Since Steve wants to get Nathaniel to eventually live in this homeless shelter, he tells him that the only way to get his instruments is to go there and Nathaniel eventually goes to play them. It will, however, take ore time to get him to sleep there.
The two talk more each day and Steve starts to want to talk to Nathaniel simply for the joy of talking to him, although he still cares about his story. Steve goes to a mental institution to find out more about Nathaniel’s mental disability and if there is anyway to treat him. The doctor tells him that treatment doesn’t always work and there are so many people with the same condition, schizophrenia.
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Camille, it is good to see that you read the book but this is mostly plot summary. Try to put your own thoughts and feelings into your writing. Plot summary is okay, just make sure to add other things such as your own thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you read this book and appreciate this story of love and compassion. Steve's articles basically made Nathanial a well known man/celebrity. Your post is good and organized but you should add a couple examples. No hard feelings aha.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex. A great deal of plot summary here. Try to consider some of the big topics we raised in class in subsequent posts. (See the class notes I've posted on my blog). Also, Lopez lives and writes in Los Angeles. Be more careful in your reading, and take a bit more time developing your posts.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good summary of the first few chapters, but you might want to include some of your own thoughts about the book
ReplyDeletethis is a really good plot summary which made me understand what was going on a bit better. although, next time try to add in your own thought into ur post.
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