It is Not Now: Tales of Maine

By turns nostalgic, whimsical and cantankerous, Gould has entertained readers for half a century through his columns in the Christian Science Monitor. In this collection (his 27th book), he carps about senior-citizen status and drive-through banking. While chronicling the progress of Maine's publicity drive for tourism, Gould reminisces about the ``real'' Maine boiled dinner and the rite of preparing the wood stove for its summer in the shed. There is a piece about a carpenter who measured in plutts and pobbles, and others about the Maine Coon cat, the leash law (he's ag'in it), winter camping and ``summerfolk.'' These brief essays view human nature under a strong regional light. Illustrations. (Apr.)