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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I suffer from mental illness and l like to read about how others fare, even if it’s difficult. I’ve read a few books about mentally ill street dwellers and this is one that shows how an astonishingly talented person with profound difficulties can progress in a positive way. I do believe the author may have been really blessed by his often frustrating relationship with his friend.
Although this book can easily fall into the category of "middle-class journalist/short-term volunteer tries to help homeless man/developing country but learns more than s/he ever thought was possible..." it does a good job of providing no easy answers. It provides an accurately complex look at the issues of mental illness, social work, and social justice.
Definitely a quick read, but an interesting story nonetheless. Gives you a window into the life of a man suffering from a mental disorder, similar to the way the movie A Beautiful Mind did.
I thought this book would be really painful to read, but although the writing wasn't great, I enjoyed the story and had some good discussions with others about mental health care.
Mental illness on the street. A great story of for the authors life as well. Terrific writing. I cried while reading.
This book almost got two stars from me, but I really liked the ending so I gave it three. I did a lot of skimming while reading this book....I thought it had a lot of extra (boring) information that was not necessary to the story. The story itself was decent though.
I'd really give this a 3.5 stars, as I do feel bad giving it only 3 stars, but it just wasn't a solid four stars.
This book was definitely good, don't get me wrong. It was really intriguing. Nathaniel's story is heart-breaking, there's no denying that. It's a great insight into not just music, but mental illness, poverty and homelessness, among other things.
It did get rather slow at times, and dragged a bit, but luckily it's a rather short book, so it's not that hard to get through. And it does pick up from time to time.
I'd recommend it if you're interested in mental illness and homelessness particularly in LA.
This book was definitely good, don't get me wrong. It was really intriguing. Nathaniel's story is heart-breaking, there's no denying that. It's a great insight into not just music, but mental illness, poverty and homelessness, among other things.
It did get rather slow at times, and dragged a bit, but luckily it's a rather short book, so it's not that hard to get through. And it does pick up from time to time.
I'd recommend it if you're interested in mental illness and homelessness particularly in LA.
The Soloist creates a sympathetic, but realistic portrait of a unique individual who happens to have a mental illness. Mr. Lopez certainly doesn't sugar-coat or downplay the severity of Mr. Ayers's schizophrenia, but he allows Mr. Ayers's personality to shine through so that his illness doesn't completely define him. The Soloist brushes on controversial topics such as what constitutes appropriate treatment, the ethics of forcible hospitalization or medication, the inadequacy of services and support available to “the people in greatest need of help.” Most powerful is the heartbreak he describes that comes from watching someone you love deteriorate into a completely different person and having no substantial way to help. Ultimately, this is a beautiful story of friendship and the difference that simply loving and accepting someone can make.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.