Dwelling beside a body of water is tonic for the weary psyche. Sea smells, sea birds, seawrack, sands — alternately cool, warm, moist and dry — a taste of brine and the presence of the rocking, slopping bluegraygreen spit-flecked waters, has the effect of rinsing the emotions, bathing the outlook, bleaching the conscience.

Isle of the Dead (1969)