This writer's mystery illness defied diagnosis for months - here's what she learned from the uncertainty

Gill Deacon is a writer, musician and a familiar voice on CBC. A few years ago she developed a debilitating illness that defied diagnosis for many months. In those long months of not knowing, she was forced to adjust to her relationship with uncertainty. Her new book is called A Love Affair with the Unknown: Leaning into the Uncertainty of Modern Life. She’ll talk about her journey, and recommend two similar titles. Plus, Karma Brown answers The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include: A Love Affair with the Unknown: Leaning into the Uncertainty of Modern Life Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit Mother is Watching by Karma Brown Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

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This writer's mystery illness defied diagnosis for months - here's what she learned from the uncertainty is an episode from The Next Chapter from CBC Radio by CBC.

This episode is 00:27:42 long.

This episode was published on Mar 16, 2026.

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