Name: Ryan Mateyk's review of Search by Michelle Huneven
Item: Search
Rating: 3
Author: Ryan Mateyk

Michelle Huneven

From critically acclaimed, award-winning author Michelle Huneven, a sharp and funny novel of a congregational search committee, told as a memoir with recipes Dana Potowski is a restaurant critic and food writer and a longtime member of a progressive Unitarian Universalist congregation in Southern California. Just as she’s finishing the book tour for her latest bestseller, Dana is asked to join the church search committee for a new minister. Under pressure to find her next book idea, she agrees, and resolves to secretly pen a memoir, with recipes, about the experience. That memoir, Search, follows the travails of the committee and their candidates—and becomes its own media sensation. Dana had good material to work with: the committee is a wide-ranging mix of Unitarian Universalist congregants, and their candidates range from a baker and microbrew master/pastor to a reverend who identifies as both a witch and an environmental warrior. Ultimately, the committee faces a stark choice between two very different paths forward for the congregation. Although she may have been ambivalent about joining the committee, Dana finds that she cares deeply about the fate of this institution and she will fight the entire committee, if necessary, to win the day for her side. This wry and wise tale will speak to anyone who has ever gone searching, and James Beard Award–winning author Michelle Huneven’s food writing and recipes add flavor to the delightful journey.

A Novel

Search

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Ryan Mateyk

I really enjoyed this starting out, but it ended up being quite long, and by the end Dana was insufferable. Also I’m very curious about UU after reading since it seems like the queerest organization on earth, and it’s quasi-religious to boot? Don’t let the Republicans near this one, they will probably die reading!

Jeannette Ordas

When I started this book I was surprised that I had even had it on my library holds list. A book about a search for a new pastor for a unitarian church? What? It was quirky and vivid from the start and then it really sucked me in. I really connected with the main character Dana and related to her pettiness and doggedness (and envied her beautiful home and idyllic southern California life) and found the whole book funny, charming and there's even recipes! Utterly delightful!

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Search by Michelle Huneven

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &Search by Michelle Huneven

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Join the club

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Search by Michelle Huneven