A refreshing look at the inevitability of uncertainty and how it can help make the hard parts of life more manageable.
“Gill—high level of comfort with uncertainty,” a producer once noted. But Gill Deacon’s comfort level is put to the test over the course of an illness that is as mysterious as it is debilitating. During this time of not knowing, Deacon investigates the nature of uncertainty itself and demonstrates how we can choose to draw on our innate resilience and learn to thrive in an ever-changing world. She reminds us that, like comedy improvisation and jazz music, beautiful things can result from the unpredictable and unplanned. While providing evidence of the beauty in not knowing, she makes a clear and compelling case that uncertainty is a condition we are built for. In fact, our best shot at creativity, innovation, and human connection occurs when we radically embrace the uncertainty we habitually struggle against.
This thoughtful examination of uncertainty by a warm and wise fellow traveller is a balm that can soothe us in troubling times.
A refreshing look at the inevitability of uncertainty and how it can help make the hard parts of life more manageable.
“Gill—high level of comfort with uncertainty,” a producer once noted. But Gill Deacon’s comfort level is put to the test over the course of an illness that is as mysterious as it is debilitating. During this time of not knowing, Deacon investigates the nature of uncertainty itself and demonstrates how we can choose to draw on our innate resilience and learn to thrive in an ever-changing world. She reminds us that, like comedy improvisation and jazz music, beautiful things can result from the unpredictable and unplanned. While providing evidence of the beauty in not knowing, she makes a clear and compelling case that uncertainty is a condition we are built for. In fact, our best shot at creativity, innovation, and human connection occurs when we radically embrace the uncertainty we habitually struggle against.
This thoughtful examination of uncertainty by a warm and wise fellow traveller is a balm that can soothe us in troubling times.
| Published By | House of Anansi Press Inc — Jan 27, 2026 |
| Specifications | 240 pages | 5.5 in x 8.5 in |
| Keywords | Rebecca Solnit; Books for Mom; Gifts for Mom; Elizabeth Gilbert; Cheryl Strayed; Mel Robbins; Let Them Theory; Atomic Habits; Body Keeps the Score; Gabor Mate; Holistic Medicine; Optimistic Stories; Canadian Author; CanLit; Jen Gunter; Vagina Bible; Starting Over; Letting Go; |
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Supporting Resources
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Excerpt |
| Written By |
GILLIAN DEACON is an award-winning broadcaster and writer. A familiar voice on CBC Radio, Gill spent over a decade as host of Here & Now, Toronto's afternoon drive show on CBC Radio One. She is the author of the national bestsellers There’s Lead in Your Lipstick: Toxins in Everyday Bodycare and How to Avoid Them; Green for Life; and the memoir Naked Imperfection. Gill lives in Toronto with her husband and their three sons. |
| Written By |
|
GILLIAN DEACON is an award-winning broadcaster and writer. A familiar voice on CBC Radio, Gill spent over a decade as host of Here & Now, Toronto's afternoon drive show on CBC Radio One. She is the author of the national bestsellers There’s Lead in Your Lipstick: Toxins in Everyday Bodycare and How to Avoid Them; Green for Life; and the memoir Naked Imperfection. Gill lives in Toronto with her husband and their three sons. |
“A vulnerable, creative, and lyrical memoir about the human condition.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Smart, surprising, and often lyrical, A Love Affair with the Unknown offers a masterclass in the art and science of grappling with uncertainty. If you live in the world, you should read this book.”—Alex Hutchinson, New York Times–bestselling author of The Explorer’s Gene
”“A Love Affair with the Unknown brims with curiosity, wisdom, and life. It's a balm for our troubled times. I loved it.”—Claire Cameron, author of How to Survive a Bear Attack
”“The news feels so heavy, the future so uncertain; we wonder if we’ll ever feel steady again. In this beautiful book, Gillian Deacon reminds us that uncertainty can be a gift—grounding us in humility, awakening us to awe, and showing us that we don’t need all the answers to live a courageous life.”—Kate Bowler, New York Times–bestselling author of Everything Happens for a Reason
”“Radiant, wise, and enduring.”—Claudia Dey, author of Daughter
”“Overflows with curiosity and joy.” —Elizabeth Renzetti, author of What She Said: Conversations About Equality
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