Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: A cry of pain

In this gripping account of the lifetime of a friendship, what I sensed the most from Paul Theroux was his pain at the sudden loss of his friend. It made him seem more human to me, even though I have read most of his travel books and several of his novels. Personally, it was hard for me to imagine why V.S. Naipaul was worth keeping as a friend. For example, his treatment of his wife, Pat, as described by Theroux, left me angry and disgusted. Yet, Theroux makes it clear that it was Naipaul who first encouraged him as a young writer. How splendid it must have been to be validated by such a distinguished and accomplished author. And, thus, how devasting to be cut off suddenly and without any recognizable reason after 30 years of friendship, tolerance, and yes, love. To me, this book comes out of Theroux's pain and confusion, and the resulting look at his very real humanity will stay with me for a long time to come.