An Umbrella Made for a Man

In the 1990s, strong-willed Irene Maxwell embarks on her path toward ordination as an Episcopal priest, confident in her calling but unprepared for the hidden obstacles she'll face. During a job interview with the dean of a cathedral-conducted uncomfortably in his car-he asks Irene questions, only to interrupt her responses by poking her leg, forcing her into silence.

Even though women in the priesthood had become more acceptable by then, Irene soon discovers that gender biases haven't disappeared-they've simply gone underground, devolving into a form of guerilla warfare. Microaggressions, sexual innuendos, and dismissive attitudes from her male colleagues are constant reminders of the unspoken resistance she faces.

As Irene navigates this challenging environment, she asks herself: What can I do? Who will protect me in this world? Her journey of self-discovery ultimately leads her to create a groundbreaking safe place for other women with similar experiences.

An Umbrella Made for a Man not only follows Irene's personal struggles but also explores the broader question of why human beings inflict harm on each other. From acknowledging the darker sides of our nature to seeking paths toward peace, Irene's story is one of transformation as she moves from frustration and pain toward hope, joy, and love.

"In a series of connected vignettes that, at times, metamorphose into prose poems, Katherine Elberfeld treats her readers to a plethora of existential dilemmas in a unique voice laced with rich metaphors and repeated imagery. Elberfeld's work, reminiscent of such diverse authors as Flannery O'Connor, Marcel Proust, and Marilynne Robinson, explores topics ranging from childhood influences and adult companionship to male-female relationships in the workplace and beyond, and, ultimately, to love and God, illness and death. If you are looking for a book with stellar prose that skirts the boundaries of creativity, An Umbrella Made for a Man is the book for you." --Leissa Shahrak, Author of Half the World

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Independent Book Review: "Katherine Elberfeld's An Umbrella Made for a Man is a tender, raw, and quietly furious excavation of one woman's spiritual calling and the institutional and intimate betrayals that nearly silence it. With poetic precision and a fierce commitment to emotional truth, Elberfeld offers a story that feels less like fiction and more like revelation."

Readers' Favorite: "An Umbrella Made for a Man by Katherine Elberfeld is an unflinching, gracefully written account of a woman navigating the institutional and personal costs of leadership in a male-dominated church. Elberfeld's prose is confident and observant, bringing Irene's experiences into sharp focus without overstatement." 

Feathered Quill: "Readers of An Umbrella Made for a Man by Katherine Elberfeld will find themselves cheering for Irene regarding how she handled her unfortunate circumstances while fulfilling her ministry. You'll develop feelings for her as if she was a real person you might know and become friends with."

Booklife: "Elberfeld's narrative pushes forward in emotive frequencies that take the shape of fleeting images, memories, and dreams, as Irene-strong, capable, striving to set an example for her two boys-navigates one toxic workplace after another, and a rotating line of mostly unfulfilling romances following her divorce, before finally settling into a role at a church that feels like home. As she moves through those years, she searches for love, safe spaces to commune with other women, and, ultimately, a sense of peace and independence-hard sells in a world that fuels itself on broken hearts and empty relationships."