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  • Becoming a Matriarch

  • A Memoir
  • Written by: Helen Knott
  • Narrated by: Helen Knott
  • Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (19 ratings)

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Becoming a Matriarch

Written by: Helen Knott
Narrated by: Helen Knott
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Publisher's Summary

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Co-winner of the 2024 George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature
Winner of the Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes (part of the BC and Yukon Book Prizes)
Shortlisted for the 2024 Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize
Finalist for the 2024 Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction
Shortlisted for the 2025 OLA Evergreen Award

When matriarchs begin to disappear, there is a choice to either step into the places they left behind, or to craft a new space.


Helen Knott’s debut memoir, In My Own Moccasins, wowed reviewers, award juries, and readers alike with its profoundly honest and moving account of addiction, intergenerational trauma, resilience, and survival. Now, in her highly anticipated second book, Knott returns with a chronicle of grief, love, and legacy.

Having lost both her mom and grandmother in just over six months, forced to navigate the fine lines between matriarchy, martyrdom, and codependency, Knott realizes she must let go, not just of the women who raised her, but of the woman she thought she was.

Woven into the pages are themes of mourning, sobriety through loss, and generational dreaming. Becoming a Matriarch is charted with poetic insights, sass, humour, and heart, taking the reader over the rivers and mountains of Dane Zaa territory in Northeastern British Columbia, along the cobbled streets of Antigua, Guatemala, and straight to the heart of what matriarchy truly means. This is a journey through pain, on the way to becoming.
©2023 Helen Knott (P)2023 Knopf Canada
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What the critics say

A GLOBE AND MAIL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
ONE OF CBC’S BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE YEAR
ONE OF INDIGO’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR


Becoming a Matriarch is about the work of carving out a ‘beautiful space’ in a life where freedom and love can flourish. Helen Knott tells the story of the women in her family pushing up against the boundaries of gender, race, and class and, in so doing, Knott shows us that another way of living is possible. Her sentences are poetic and dazzling; they are little anchors the grieving can fasten themselves to—readers will surely return to them again and again.” —Billy-Ray Belcourt, author of A Minor Chorus

“In enchantingly vivid language and with a compelling narrative arc, Helen Knott’s new masterpiece is a memoir of grief and joy, loss and rediscovery, flight and return and, above all, a paean to the beautiful, eternal, soothing and all-encompassing power of matriarchy.” —Gabor Maté MD, author of The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture

What listeners say about Becoming a Matriarch

Average Customer Ratings
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Compelling and relatable story, read beautifully.

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Helen takes you into her world; listening to her read feels like being with a dear friend. She’s a huge talent. 10/10 recommend.

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the history of her life - I met her on the trip for the paddle for the Peace

I liked that it was her real story!! I ached for her when I read "moccasins" and hoped she could be on a healing path. I took spent time in the outreach of Guatemala and learned so much there. We are so damned blessed to be here in their stolen land. how little did we know about truth of the history of the land on which I was born!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Helens voice is soothing and her story is inspiring.

She writes beautifully. I felt like I was listening to a friend share her story and her way in this world.

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strong, powerful woman

She has a very beautiful way of using the words to create the imagery in my head and heart.
her words resonate within, feeling every word deep into my spirit and soul. she bravely writes what so many of us hold deep down tucked away until there is no more room

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Phenomenal book

I appreciated Helen’s story! She’s such an amazing writer and human. It’s nice to read something I can relate too.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written

Love her honesty, beautifully written and I enjoyed helen reading the story herself. Def worth the listen

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Honesty

I’m just so blown away thank you for being so open for us all
To learn more

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Truly a gift to listen to this memoir

Thank you for sharing your heart, teachings, and experiences with the world. It was a gift to listen and learn from you.

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