Book Review:
An Hour in Paradise:
stories by Joan Leegant

Review by: Bianca Badia

Given its genre, Joan Leegant's literary debut is a welcomed change of pace. Unlike the countless novels that make up today's popular fiction, An Hour in Paradise is a collection of ten short stories, all delving into relatable themes.

Both a seasoned professional and an amateur in her own right, Leegant has received awards for her publications in numerous anthologies and literary magazines across the country. An Hour in Paradise is the first book with her by-line. Her stories express a longing and a need for human connection through the experiences of conflicted characters.

With blind and sometimes wavering faith to guide them, Leegant's characters explore their lives through the Jewish religion. (The very title of the book is drawn from a Yiddish proverb: "Even an hour in Paradise is worthwhile.") The content of all ten stories is tied together by the quest for paradise. However, that tie is a weak one.

Inconsistency is expected when uniform technique and linear plot are no longer required. With any kind of short fiction, a certain irregularity is natural-not in skill, but in content. Leegant's book frequently falters in both elements.

More often than not, her talent wanes in terms of character description. Her writing is perfect (almost too perfect) when it comes to providing an atmosphere. Surely writing cannot have one component without the other, thus making An Hour in Paradise go from phenomenal to mediocre without warning.

A few stories provide the reader with a perfect mental image. Leegant's witty anecdotes and sometimes-quirky characters, at times, make for an interesting read. For instance, "The Rabbi's Daughters," feature three sisters with decidedly different faiths-and in turn, personalities-brought together with some unlikely help. "Love Story" is another well-written piece involving a central character that must understand the past before venturing into the future.

Overall, An Hour in Paradise is an interesting read. The absence of a conventional novel's structure is refreshing, and it has its strengths.