“But he told me that most of the time he stayed on the boardwalk, facing the water, just the way we were sitting now even when it got cold and he had to wear his newspapers after he read them.And I asked him why. Why didn't he go to one of the shelters? Why didn't he check himself into the hospital for detox? And he just stared out at the ocean and said, "Look at the view, young lady. Look at the view.”

American author, journalist, and opinion columnist

Anna Marie Quindlen is an American author, journalist, and opinion columnist. She became known for her writing in newspapers and books, and for a voice that moves between public commentary and personal reflection. Her work spans journalism, fiction, and essays, which has made her a familiar name to readers of opinion writing. She is known for clear, direct prose and for observations that often touch on family, work, women’s lives, and the everyday pressures of modern life.