Where to start withThe Soloist
2 versions · originally a book, 2008
Themes: Mental Illness, Homelessness, Redemption, Friendship, Social Commentary.
Start with The Soloist (Steve Lopez, 2010) — the book. The Soloist exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 2008; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Soloist chronicles the real-life bond formed on Skid Row between a Los Angeles journalist and a homeless classical musician.
✦ Most fans start here
The Soloist (2010)
The original novel
✦ Start hereThe Soloist
Steve Lopez · Book · 2010
The 2010 book The Soloist delivers Steve Lopez's firsthand account from his Los Angeles Times columns, offering a direct, journalistic look into Nathaniel Ayers's background at Juilliard and their bond on Skid Row.
2009 film
The Soloist
Joe Wright · Film · 2009
The 2009 film The Soloist dramatizes the encounter on Skid Row, featuring Robert Downey Jr. as journalist Steve Lopez and Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers playing his two-stringed violin.
Common questions
Is The Soloist based on a true story?
Yes. The Soloist is based on real-life events detailed in a series of columns written by journalist Steve Lopez for the Los Angeles Times. It chronicles his relationship with Nathaniel Ayers, a classical musician who developed schizophrenia and lived homeless in downtown Los Angeles.
Was The Soloist adapted into a movie?
Yes, The Soloist was adapted into a movie released in 2009. The film is based on the 2008 book, which recounts journalist Steve Lopez's connection with Nathaniel Ayers on the streets of downtown Los Angeles, including Skid Row.
Where does The Soloist take place?
The Soloist is set primarily in downtown Los Angeles, including the Skid Row neighborhood. The setting frames the real-life interactions between Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers, a former Juilliard classical music student living homeless with schizophrenia.
What order were The Soloist books and movie released in?
The original book version of The Soloist was published in 2008, following Steve Lopez's newspaper columns. The Soloist movie adaptation was released next in 2009, followed by another book release of The Soloist in 2010.