Book After Thoughts: Matriarch by Tina Knowles
A four-out-five star read for me!
Matriarch was an opportunity to learn the ancestral lineage of the Knowles family. Ancestry is significant to every family, especially Black families. History tried to separate Black families and erase lineage. Tina pieced hers together. She began the memoir mentioning friction between mothers and daughters. The dynamic becomes a prominent topic explored throughout the book. This isn't always a topic dissected out-loud. Tina then discusses how she showed up and tried to nurture as a mother.
Coming into her memoir, I won’t lie, I hoped to get more insight into Beyoncé’s life because she’s very private and she doesn’t interview anymore. I got a little disappointed that this desire wasn’t pleased on a grander scale, but that’s my fault. The book is called Matriarch, of course the focus would be the woman that’s head of the Knowles family. I still love what I got to learn about Tina, her marriages, and her children. She spoke more about Solange, which I love because people try to dismiss her. I’ve always liked that she didn’t fear to explore her creativity. She has a lot of success, don’t get that wrong, but people do try to place her in her sister’s shadow. Learning how Solange grew into her own womanhood was beautiful. Seeing her as a creative person who enjoys a variety of career pursuits was beautiful.
The writing in the book is beautiful and admirable. I did some research and learned that Kevin Carr O’Leary is a credited ghostwriter. He presented the memoir in a way that Tina’s voice is still relevant in the writing. We are still grasping who she is, her story, and her voice. (Which, we love Black women's voices not distorted or boxed out.) This novel reminded me of different generations sitting on the porch exchanging stories.
Started: Late April 2025 Finished: 8.17.25