Search (novel)

Search is a novel by American author Michelle Huneven, published in 2022. The story revolves around a group of individuals participating in a search committee tasked with finding a new minister for a progressive Unitarian Universalist congregation in Southern California.

The novel explores themes of community, faith, doubt, personal growth, and the often-messy process of collective decision-making. The narrative is primarily driven by the inner thoughts and experiences of Dana, the novel's protagonist and a food writer who finds herself unexpectedly on the search committee. Through Dana's perspective, the reader is privy to the various personalities, biases, and motivations of the other committee members, as well as the diverse range of candidates vying for the ministerial position.

Huneven delves into the intricacies of religious life and the challenges faced by contemporary religious institutions. The novel examines the complexities of finding common ground and reaching consensus within a group with differing beliefs and priorities. While ostensibly about a search for a religious leader, "Search" also functions as a character study, exploring the individual journeys of those involved and the ways in which the process of seeking transforms them.