- Date Published:
2018 - Length:
288 pages—Listening Time: 9 hrs 1 minutes - Genre:
Memoir, NonFiction - Setting:
2010s, South West Coast Path in England - Awards:
Costa Book Awards Shortlist Biography 2018; Independent Booksellers' Book Prize Shortlist Adult 2019; Books Are My Bag Readers' Award Shortlist Non-Fiction 2019; James Cropper Wainwright Prize Shortlist 2018; National Outdoor Book Award Honorable Mention Outdoor Literature 2019; RSL Christopher Bland Prize Winner 2019; NPR: Books We Love 2019; World Book Night selection 2020; 11 Famous Books That Are Set in Devon - Language:
English and 8 other languages: Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Swedish - Sensitive Aspects:
Homelessness and attitudes surrounding it, illness and despair, moral ambiguity about crime, poverty and social services - Movie:
The Salt Path has been adapted into a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, with a UK release date of May 30, 2025. The film is, directed by Marianne Elliott. The film made its debut at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and also had a screening in Cornwall earlier this month. - Recommend for Book Club:
Yes, this a wonderful book for reading groups
Older people do incredible things all the time. But rarely do you hear about older people trying something entirely new and then becoming overwhelmingly successful at it. Such a thing happened to Raynor Winn, the author of The Salt Path.
This is the way it occurred. Winn wrote The Salt Path as a gift for her husband, Moth, reflecting on their journey walking the 630-mile South West Coast Path. After her daughter suggested she try to get it published, she began searching for a literary agent and ultimately signed with Penguin Books. The novel became a bestseller, both in the UK and internationally, and was translated into multiple languages.
Winn was 50 years old when she and her husband walked the Coast Path. She penned The Salt Path at the age of 55. Within a year, it was published, and the film adaptation will be released to the public this month.
But she wasn't finished. In 2020, she published The Wild Silence, her second novel. She released Landlines: The Remarkable Story of a Thousand-Mile Journey Across Britain, her third book, in 2022. Considering that Winn had never written a book before, The Salt Path's popularity is as astonishing as the walk she and Moth made, circumnavigating the United Kingdom.
When older individuals attempt new things and succeed spectacularly, it illustrates that age is no impediment to ambition, inventiveness, or reinvention. Never say never. I love hearing stories like this.
The Salt Path is a memoir that follows Raynor Winn and her husband, Moth, as they embark on a 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path of England after losing their home and livelihood, and shortly after, Moth is diagnosed with a terminal, degenerative illness. The journey begins in the wake of two devastating blows: eviction from their cherished farmhouse following a failed legal battle and Moth’s diagnosis with a rare, incurable form of dementia.
With little money, no home, and an uncertain future, Raynor and Moth decide to hike the entire coastal path from Somerset to Dorset, passing through Devon and Cornwall, carrying only basic camping gear and surviving on minimal funds. Their trek is both a physical and emotional ordeal--battling harsh weather, hunger, and exhaustion, but also finding solace and healing in the wild beauty of the landscape. Despite the hardships, Moth’s health paradoxically improves with the physical activity and connection to nature.
The couple’s experience exposes the realities and prejudices faced by the homeless, highlighting how perceptions change when people learn the truth about their situation. At its core, the book is a testament to the couple’s enduring love and mutual support in the face of adversity as well as social shame. They were forced to trust and rely on one another, which strengthened their bond.
The vivid description of the natural world serves as both a backdrop and a source of comfort and transformation for both Raynor and Moth. Likewise, the couple encounters both generosity and exploitation, reflecting the complexities of human nature and society’s attitudes toward those in need. I liked Winn's account of "virtual eating," which is described as standing in front of a restaurant and watching others eat when the couple did not have enough money to buy food. Although the experience may seem harsh and humbling, Winn's humor in the situation is admirable. The couple did what they had to do to survive.
The Salt Path is ultimately a story of hope, endurance, and rediscovery-showing that even in the most desperate circumstances, it is possible to find meaning, connection, and a sense of home. The memoir has resonated with readers for its honest portrayal of hardship and its celebration of the human spirit’s ability to adapt and find light in the darkest times. I can hardly wait to see the movie!
Reading The Salt Path will move and inspire you and deepen your understanding of what it means to lose everything and find hope and healing in the wild. Here are specific reasons you will enjoy this book.
A True Story of Resilience and Hope
The Salt Path is a memoir that chronicles the extraordinary journey of Raynor Winn and her husband, Moth, after they lose their home and livelihood and Moth is diagnosed with a terminal illness. With little money and nowhere to go, they decide to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path of England, living wild and carrying only the essentials. This real-life adventure is a testament to human resilience, hope, and the power of the natural world to heal and inspire.
Insight into Homelessness and Social Stigma
The book offers a deeply personal and insightful look at homelessness in the UK, highlighting how easily people can fall out of the system and the prejudices they face. Winn’s honest portrayal challenges stereotypes, showing the complexity and humanity behind the label of “homeless." The couple’s experiences reveal both the harshness of social stigma and the unexpected kindness of strangers along their journey.
Beautiful Nature Writing and the Healing Power of the Outdoors
Winn’s evocative descriptions of the British coastline immerse readers in the landscape, making nature itself a central character. The memoir explores how immersion in the natural world can offer solace, perspective, and even physical healing, as seen in Moth’s gradual improvement despite his diagnosis. The book appeals to those who appreciate nature writing and the therapeutic effects of outdoor adventure.
A Moving Love Story
At its heart, The Salt Path is also a love story. The bond between Raynor and Moth, tested by adversity, is both heartwarming and inspiring. Their partnership and mutual support provide emotional depth and make the story universally relatable.
Inspiration and Emotional Impact
Readers consistently describe the memoir as uplifting, moving, and life-affirming. It’s a story about overcoming grief, enduring hardship, and finding meaning and joy in the face of despair. The couple's struggles and triumphs bring many reviewers to tears, and their optimism and courage inspire them.
Comparable to Other Beloved Memoirs
If you enjoyed books like Wild by Cheryl Strayed, you’ll likely appreciate The Salt Path for its blend of personal transformation, adventure, and nature writing. The narrative is compelling, with a clear character arc and themes of resilience and rediscovery.
Get Raynor Winn Books
Nature lovers will appreciate the beauty of Winn's books and find solace in their messages of hope.
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Reading The Salt Path will not only move and inspire you but also deepen your understanding of what it means to lose everything and find hope and healing in the wild. It offers a similarly strong narrative voice and exploration of what it means to belong. If you enjoyed The Salt Path by Raynor Winn for its blend of memoir, nature writing, resilience, and transformative journeys, there are several books that capture similar themes and narrative styles:
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed: A memoir about Strayed’s solo trek along the Pacific Crest Trail after personal tragedy. Like The Salt Path, it’s a story of healing through walking and immersion in nature.
- Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery: The inspiring true story of Emma Gatewood, who, at 67, became the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail alone. Her journey is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and the restorative power of the outdoors.
- H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald: This memoir intertwines Macdonald’s grief after her father’s death with her experience training a goshawk, blending nature writing with personal healing.
- Tracks by Robyn Davidson: Davidson’s account of her solo trek across 1,700 miles of Australian outback, exploring themes of solitude, endurance, and connection to landscape.
- The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane: A beautifully written exploration of ancient walking routes in the UK and beyond, reflecting on the relationship between paths, history, and the human spirit.
- A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit: A collection of essays meditating on loss, exploration, and the meaning of being lost—both physically and metaphorically.
- I Am an Island by Tamsin Calidas: A memoir about starting over on a remote Scottish island, dealing with adversity, and finding solace in nature.
- The Outrun by Amy Liptrot: Liptrot’s journey back to the Orkney Islands after addiction, blending memoir, nature writing, and the search for belonging.
- Islands of Abandonment by Cal Flyn: Explores places reclaimed by nature after human departure, offering hope and insight into resilience and renewal.
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce: A fictional but moving story of a man who sets out on a long walk across England, encountering healing and transformation along the way.
- Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman: A memoir of leaving everything behind to travel the world, emphasizing personal growth and cultural discovery.
- Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey: Abbey’s reflections on wilderness and solitude during his time as a park ranger in Utah.
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: While a novel, it shares themes of survival, nature, and resilience in the face of adversity.
- The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn: Winn’s follow-up memoir, continuing her story of recovery, nature, and hope.
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