An editorial review examining the philosophical and narrative themes of Embrace Life’s Randomness, with particular attention to free will, determinism, and memoir as a reflective art form.

Reviewed by DECILLIS — writer, editor, researcher, and Ph.D. in literature, specializing in narratology.

This is a somewhat atypical philosophical book that blends poetry and personal anecdote to explore the tension between free will, causality, and determinism. While it is not structured like a conventional spiritual or self-help text, its loosely connected reflections are thoughtful, well-paced, and engaging. The language throughout is polished.
At its core, the book circles a single, enduring question: free will or determinism? Rather than forcing a conclusion, the author acknowledges that this question may ultimately be unanswerable. Still, as the book suggests, the absence of a definitive answer does not stop us from wrestling with it. How we understand this tension shapes our worldview, making the exploration itself a worthwhile endeavor.
The book also serves as a compelling validation of memoir as an art form for exploring how we experience and interpret the world. The anecdotes drawn from the author’s life are not focused on dramatic turning points or major epiphanies, but on everyday moments that become starting points for reflection. This approach aligns well with the book’s opening discussion of how personal narratives are continually reshaped over time.
Overall, the text was different from what I initially expected. Still, it thoughtfully engages with difficult existential questions and leaves the reader with broad, humane reflections on how to live more deliberately and meaningfully.

Brent M. Jones

Brent writes with quiet confidence and curiosity, exploring communication, reinvention, and what truly matters. His reflections invite readers to slow down, reconsider their stories, and reconnect with the values that guide them. Through books, essays, and his What Matters Substack Articles and Notes, he offers writing that doesn’t shout—but still speaks clearly.