... As a gypsy, the writer's viewpoint is not only different from other people's: it starts from a different place. Thus, she speaks of a midwinter arrival in Manhattan not in terms of people or buildings, but giving an impression of winds and water systems ...

... point in my development is a typical statement; dead true, without a doubt, but few youngish memoir-writers have the nerve to speak of their development in quite such a firm, ringing, convinced sort of voice. There's a chapter on Mr. Wain's prewar childhood ...