Picture a Canadian storyteller who turned grief into a laugh-out-loud, tear-jerking masterpiece—meet Rachel Matlow! Known for their debut memoir Dead Mom Walking, Matlow weaves humor and heartache into a 'traumedy' that captures the messy beauty of family ties. With a background in radio and a knack for chess, Matlow’s unique lens makes their work unforgettable.
Rachel Matlow, a Toronto native, isn’t your typical author. Their genderqueer identity and bold storytelling reflect a life lived on their own terms, much like the eccentric mother at the heart of their memoir. From CBC Radio studios to literary acclaim, Matlow’s journey is as compelling as the stories they tell.
The Making of Rachel Matlow
Raised in Toronto by a free-spirited mother, Elaine, and a judge father, Teddy, Matlow grew up in a family that defied convention. Elaine, an alternative school teacher, prioritized meditation over traditional parenting, shaping Matlow’s independent streak. As a teen, Matlow played hockey with boys and shunned dresses, embracing their authentic self. This vibrant upbringing laid the groundwork for their storytelling. Before writing, Matlow spent over a decade as a producer at CBC Radio, working on shows like Q and The Sunday Edition. Their audio documentary Dead Mom Talking won a 2016 Third Coast Award, hinting at the memoir to come.
Rachel Matlow’s Unforgettable Stories
Matlow’s debut, Dead Mom Walking: A Memoir of Miracle Cures and Other Disasters (2020), is a national bestseller that blends dark humor with raw emotion. The book chronicles Matlow’s mother Elaine’s battle with Stage 1 cancer and her refusal of conventional treatment in favor of natural remedies like herbal tinctures and ayahuasca retreats. Matlow’s witty prose captures their frustration and love, making readers laugh and cry. The memoir, shortlisted for the 2021 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, explores themes of grief, identity, and the limits of wellness culture.
Their earlier audio work, Dead Mom Talking (2016), is a tender radio piece that uses recordings with Elaine to create a posthumous conversation. It won both a Third Coast Award and a 2017 Gabriel Award. Matlow’s style—irreverent yet intimate—shines in both formats, drawing comparisons to queer family narratives like Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home. They’ve also written essays for The Globe and Mail and The Walrus, showcasing their sharp cultural commentary.
Matlow’s storytelling thrives on vulnerability. They delve into personal struggles, from their mother’s unorthodox choices to their own experiences with workplace dynamics at CBC during the Jian Ghomeshi scandal. This honesty, paired with a comedic edge, makes their work resonate deeply.
Why Rachel Matlow Matters
Rachel Matlow’s impact lies in their ability to make heavy topics accessible. Dead Mom Walking challenges readers to find humor in loss, offering solace to those navigating grief. Their genderqueer perspective enriches Canadian literature, amplifying diverse voices in memoir and LGBTQ+ narratives. By blending journalism with personal storytelling, Matlow bridges media and literature, inspiring writers to embrace authenticity. Their work has sparked conversations about wellness fads and family dynamics, earning praise from figures like Tegan Quin and Carolyn Taylor.
- Born: Toronto, Canada
- Key Work: Dead Mom Walking (2020)
- Awards: 2016 Third Coast Award, 2017 Gabriel Award
- Fun Fact: Matlow plays chess weekly and loves long-distance hiking.
Snag Dead Mom Walking and dive into Rachel Matlow’s hilarious, heartfelt world—you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll want to hug your loved ones a little tighter!