Quarter Finalist

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Sochaczewski has crafted a delightful foray into his own private collection of Ganesha statues. This book is full of interesting tidbits about the author, about collecting, about Hindu gods, about travels....and most importantly, about the titular Ganesha. Filled with countless gorgeous photos and interesting stories regarding Sochaczewski's travels, Searching for Ganesha is a charming, unusual, read.

Prose: Sochaczewski is a wonderful writer. He is able to take concepts that may be very distant for the reader, esoteric, strange, or even dull, and turns them into fun, playful stories. His voice cuts through his prose in the best way, and one can only imagine that he would be delightful to listen to over a glass of wine. The book takes what could be a dusty topic and makes it humorous and even enchanting.

Originality: Sochaczewski readily acknowledges that he is an unusual person who has lived an unusual life, and harbors a singular penchant for collecting Ganesha figures. Even readers who are unfamiliar with Ganesha will find the author's enthusiasm to be contagious.

Character Development/Execution: Despite occasional formatting issues, this work is enhanced with striking pictures. The author delivers a wholly unique memoir that combines elements of mythology, psychology, and autobiography. 

Date Submitted: November 05, 2021