Runaway is a short story collection by Alice Munro that explores the emotional lives of women living in small-town Canada. The stories focus on ordinary situations that gradually reveal deeper tensions in relationships, love, and family life.
A central theme is the idea of escape—women who try to “run away” from difficult relationships or unsatisfying lives, but often find that leaving does not bring the freedom or happiness they expected.
The collection reflects on regret, choice, and the complexity of human emotions, showing how small decisions can have lasting consequences.