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Search

Written by: Michelle Huneven
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

*Named One the 10 Most Anticipated Fiction Books of 2022 by Kirkus*

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.

* This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains recipes from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Michelle Huneven (P)2022 Penguin Audio
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What the critics say

“Michelle Huneven’s Search . . . made me a believer . . . like Marilynne Robinson with a light vinaigrette . . . refreshingly candid and transparent . . . [W]e have relatively few novelists willing to write about the role of religion in contemporary life—and even fewer who address spiritual practices with humor, empathy and lived wisdom. Huneven is one of those rare spirits. Religion doesn’t bore or frighten her. She knows what a rich and fraught sanctuary the sanctuary can be.” —Ron Charles, The Washington Post

“A wicked pleasure . . . Huneven is a wise storyteller . . . this novel has plot, character, structure and a delicious, deeply human pettiness that I think most honest readers will relate to . . . [Huneven’s] descriptions of food are the best I’ve ever read.” —Mary Beth Keane, New York Times Book Review

“Whoever said that university politics are vicious because the stakes are so low probably never served on a ministerial search committee . . . Delightful . . . wry and thoughtful . . . Huneven has total command of her material . . . Huneven is such a smart and funny writer.” —Ann Levin, Associated Press

What listeners say about Search

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A good reading experience

Having served on a search
committe myself, I was interested in the story of how a Unitarian church in Seattle formed its search committe for a new senior minister. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole
book, the scope of characters,
from the diverse committee members, two former ministers, to the leader of the hapless bell
choir. Highly readable,
well- constructed and recommended.

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  • Overall
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Incredibly true to life

Where truth is stranger than fiction, this memoir had my rapt attention. I could barely put it down.

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