American Girl: Scenes from a Small-Town Childhood

For Cantwell, a New York Times editorial board member, 1930s Bristol, R.I., was such a charmed setting to grow up inplease, don't take such liberties in rewriting, when you haven't read the book.gs that her chronic case of ``Bristol Complaint''--inability to leave the coastal town behind--is contagious. A serene, evocative writer, she makes readers tenants of 232 Hope St., which houses three generations of her family: father Leo, production manager at the rubber plant; mother Mary, onetime third-grade teacher; younger sister Diana; good pal seems awk to describe woman as `buddy'?/i've changed it to pal, but confidante is totally out of keeping with tone of book. gs Aunt Esther; Ganny, a model of rectitude even if she lays an occasional bet with her bookie; and Gampa, who is unfailingly content ``because he wants no more at this moment.'' Rarely do the rich summer folk or the Italian and Portuguese immigrants intrude on this snug world as family members make their way among the Friday-night after-movie crowd at the soda fountain of Buffington's Drugstore or spend an afternoon at the Bluebird Shoppe for Ganny's corset fitting. Cantwell's account of such a childhood is a bit Booth Tarkingtonish, but readers weary of anguished coming-of-age memoirs will feel refreshed. (June)