Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: More of the same

I'm sure that VS Naipaul is entitled to the accolades that he has received for HALF A LIFE, not for this work but on the strength of his former works. I believe that sometimes the critics feel that the time of an author has arrived and they want to reward him for his achievements. Such is probably the case in HALF A LIFE. I have read A BEND IN THE RIVER and HALF A LIFE repeats many of the same themes. Once again the main character is having sex with his friends wife or lover. Once again there is a man who is displaced from his culture and his family and trying to create a life for himself in a new world. Naipaul is a fine writer and I find much of his prose beautifully written. Someday I'd love to take a class or be in a discussion group with a Naipual scholar who could trace many of his themes and characters. But this is one book that I really can't recommend.