Run Towards the Danger

More about the book

In this intimate collection of autobiographical essays, Canadian Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director, and actor Sarah Polley explores her past to reveal profound truths about post-traumatic memory, our relationship with the body, and storytelling. Each essay captures a fragment of her life, examining the fallibility of memory and the mutable nature of reality as constructed in the mind. By reflecting on her past, Polley raises questions about individual morality and the structural violence that implicates us all. Her emotionally charged writing, as seen in her documentary, resonates deeply as she navigates the complexities of memory and parental love. The trauma of her childhood acting career intertwines with her experiences of assault, highlighting the legal system's challenges in understanding a victim's memory. From her relationship with her body to health crises and the grief of losing her mother, these essays are both haunting and inspiring, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. Polley delves into parenthood, inheritance, and human connection, beautifully illustrating the journey of living in one’s body amidst constant change. Ultimately, this collection serves as a poignant reminder to confront pain and fear head-on, encouraging readers to run towards danger when it feels imminent.