Book Chat

[LewEllyn Hallett]

Books are about my favorite things to talk about, and I notice a lot of you here enjoy books, too. Let’s have some good conversations about what we're reading, or favorites we've finished. I'll post an occasional review of a book I think is worth knowing about, as well as some quick mentions and lists of titles in a category. You can comment on my selection, or add a book of your own, or just check in occasionally for suggestions.Though fiction is my true love, I also read nonfiction and realize many here prefer it. So, my inaugural selection is a nonfiction treasure: The Soloist by Steve Lopez. It's also a new movie staring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., but I haven't seen the movie yet myself so can't speak on that.The Soloist reads like good fiction, but it's the true record of a journalist's relationship with a homeless man, and his grueling education on mental illness, homelessness, creativity, and the unfortunate turns life can take. And it's a beautiful portrait of artistic passion, so if you're a musician or artist in any field, this story of striving for beauty in the ugliest of circumstances should strike a cord with you.Steve Lopez, columnist for the LA Times, was seeking fodder for his weekly column, a constant challenge, when he saw a man on a street corner playing an old violin, deeply immersed in his own music. This could have possibilities. Although the man was withdrawn and cautious, Lopez persisted and discovered that over 30 years before, the homeless man had been a promising music student at Julliard, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the world. What had interrupted his career in classical music after such opportunity? Where was his family? Was there anyone who remembered him from his musical heyday?Lopez became a sleuth of sorts, unraveling the puzzle, and real suspense builds. He also became an advocate for this man in the complicated maze of mental health care, public assistance and aid for the homeless. The author knew little about any of these issues, or even classical music, when he wrote his first column on Nathaniel Ayers, which grew into a series gaining huge national response. The reader goes along on his journey of discovery, where almost every success is followed by crushing disappointment. This journalist's willingness to get involved as a friend and unfailing support brings change though, as it is in real life, not a Cinderella ending.The Soloist is a great read: suspenseful, heartfelt, educational. Steve Lopez is an artist in his craft, and uncovered the subject of a lifetime in Mr. Ayers. He masterfully portrays their complicated relationship. Through it, we learn about the intricate connection between homelessness and mental illness, and the fallout of chronic, serious mental illness on everyone involved. Whatever our feelings about these issues, we can enjoy this book for its honesty and suspense, and gain greater understanding of some of the problems Lopez himself had to confront.

[Susan Pavlica Joyce]

I like how it can relate to the reader's own personal regrets and how they can haunt you. I also like the back and forth narrative between the main character's lives.

[LewEllyn Hallett]

Not me, but I know of it. What do you think of it?

[Susan Pavlica Joyce]

Hi LewEllyn,

I am currently reading The Memory-Keeper's Daughter and am enjoying it immensely. Just wondering if any one else has read it.

[LewEllyn Hallett]

Thanks, Kevin, that sounds fascinating. I would love to read about the California and Pacific islands of that era, as well as my own beloved Boston, which I imagine he describes as well. First hand accounts not only give an accurate picture of a time and place, but that genuine voice and viewpoint of a generation. I'm so glad you passed this on. It's incredible that you ran into one of youe ancestors on those pages!

Speaking of classics--and I've read very few of the Harvard Classics myself--I am totally enjoying Classics for Pleasure by Michael Dirda, a Pulitzer Prize-winning book reviewer for the Washington Post. Dirda can make you want to read the ancient Greeks, of all things! These short essays are arranged by category, like love, fantasy, horror, travel, etc., but you can read them in any order--just pick it up for a few minutes at the doctor's office or before bed, and you've been entertained as well as inspired to read one of those classics you had no good reason to ever pick up. Until now.

I'm giving Faulkner another try after being thoroughly daunted in high school -- and I've been laughing out loud! Who would have thought? The book I've been able to manage is Three Famous Short Novels by William Faulkner and includes Spotted Horses (hysterical!), Old Man, and The Bear. Next, I might even try to get through something by Jane Austin. But I'm still iffy about that.

[Kevin Nye]

My favorite book of all time: "Two Years Before The Mast" by Richard Henry Dana.

I found this book in my collection of Harvard Classics, which, I confess, have read only but two. I just couldn't get into things like "Elizabethan Drama", and others. But this book by Dana is absolutely fascinating. Dana, back in the 1830s had been a law student at Harvard, but for health reasons was advised by his family physician to go on a "cruise" as a crew member aboard a merchant sailing ship, which, he did. The book is basically his journal, and provides a fascinating account of what it was like aboard the merchant sailing ship The Pilgrim, bound for the California coast to trade with the "Californios". First, though, they had to round the deadly Cape Horn which is the southern tip of South America, known for it's terrible storms and icy weather. That description itself is an amazing account. But what really fascinated me was the descriptions of the people (Spanish people) living in the "tiny villages" of San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, to name a few. Also to my delight was the description of the "Sandwich Islanders" (Hawaiians) who were hired and subsequently worked aboard the ship and on shore for the company that owned the Pilgrim. They are described as fun loving, hard working, and some of the most GIVING people Dana had ever met. Excellent swimmers also. In one instance, when they had run out of food while while ashore and tanning the cow hides that they had purchased, there was only one piece of bread left which was the personal stash of one of the Islanders. But true to their nature, the owner of said piece of bread, divided it up between the six crew members, and they all ate. Not much but a bite apiece, but, it was just their way. Sadly, they all died of starvation on the beach after that....Just kidding. And so, after a year and a half on the California coast, they headed back to Boston, which of course included rounding Cape Horn again, etc. One thing of personal interest to me was that they came in contact with another ship from Boston, skippered by none other than a "Captain Nye", who is in fact one of the people found in my family tree. But I had only read in our family tree deal that he was sea captain out of Boston. But lo and behold, when I read this book, I found that he did in fact sail far and wide! It was also cool to see that as a seafarer myself, I did in fact come from a seafaring heritage.

Yes, the book is full of adventure, but, it is also rich in American History, and gives a glimpse of one aspect of where we Americans "came from." I highly recommend it...

[LewEllyn Hallett]

Sorry to hear about the movie, I was looking forward to it. Lopez didn't write the screenplay, though, and you know Hollywood. I wonder if an independent filmmaker rather than Universal/Dreamworks, writing big star paychecks, might have been more true to the story and setting? But film is a whole nother topic! We could go there if y'all want. I've got another book written by a radio personality you may have heard on NPR, that I really love -- I'll tell you about it next time.

[lois gueli]

What a great idea Lewellyn! Is this kind of like "Coffee Tawk"?
Unfortunately I still haven't read the "The Soloist" but I did hear Steve Lopez speak on NPR. His experience with Nathaniel Ayers was complicated and as you stated he received quite an education on mental illness and aid for the homeless. I was looking forward to seeing the movie after listening to Lopez on the radio. I can tell you that IMO the movie was very disappointing. It was too "Hollywood" for me.
Looking forward to hearing about your next "Read".