Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory

Sarah Polley analyzes how physical injuries and past traumas reorganize a person’s memory and identity. These essays document her stage fright during a production of The Glass Menagerie, the high-pressure environment of the film set for The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and a persistent concussion that forced her to redefine her physiological limits. Using the medical advice to move toward what causes discomfort rather than avoiding it, Polley re-evaluates her history with scoliosis, sexual assault, and the challenges of early child acting.

Readers interested in the intersection of neuroscience and personal history find a clinical yet intimate look at how the brain processes long-term stress. This book appeals to those looking for a technical understanding of the recovery process after traumatic brain injuries and the psychological weight of the entertainment industry. The reader learns how to confront repressed recollections and gains a practical perspective on the body's capacity to recalibrate itself after physical and emotional damage.