H...BROTHER JUNIPER

Derived from the Little Flowers of St. Francis, these seven stories of a holy innocent, generous to the point of balminess and continually on the brink of hot water that is always avoided, have a lingering quality even though the points made are very slight. Each tale is introduced by the device of, ""How Brother Juniper..."" -- an antique touch that does not serve reader interest very well. The aim is to present a lovable monk but occasionally this celebration of literal-minded goodheartedness slips to a shocking simple mindedness that is not at all lovable (cutting off a live pig's foot to supply a patient with a delicacy, and stripping off his robe with and without the urge to give it away). Not really necessary.