Shutter Island

by Dennis Lehane

I wanted to watch the lines etch themselves into your flesh and know when each and every one of them appeared.

Charm was the luxury of those who still believed in the essential rightness of things. In purity and picket fences.

If you’re not crazy but people have told the world you are, then all your protests to the contrary just underscore their point.

Your sound protests constitute denial. Your valid fears are deemed paranoia. Your survival instincts are labeled defense mechanisms. It’s a no-win situation. It’s a death penalty really. Once you’re here, you’re not getting out.

Don’t you see? Yes, it could be said about anyone, but they’re going to say it about you.