"A fascinating, inspirational, eye-opening biography about a couple who walk the South West Coastal Path - a Liz Robinson pick of the month."
Simple, stunning, provocative, loved it! Author Raynor Winn has written about her own journey around the South West Coastal Path with her husband Moth. The synopsis sounds heartbreaking, it is heartbreaking, yet this is one of the most positive and hopeful memoirs I have read. After a three year trial Moth and Raynor lose their home and livelihood then within days Moth is informed he is terminally ill. Hiding under the stairs with the bailiffs at the door Raymor and Moth decide to wild walk the coastal path around the south west of England. The Salt Path was shortlisted for the 2018 Costa Biography Award and the hardback was a Times Top 10 bestseller, all deservedly so. The prologue captures a moment on the journey, a moment of wonder, of joy, of realisation and I just knew I was going to fall in love with this tale. Raynor Winn writes her own story with such positivity, she puts everything in, opens the door and lays her life bare. Raynor allowed me to see that this so could so easily be my situation, encouraged me to think, ponder, contemplate, I felt wonder at their determination and almost elated as I came to the end of the book. The Salt Path is an eye-opening, truly inspirational read and I’ve chosen it as one of my picks of the month.
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
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One of the most talked-about books of the decade, an inspiring true story of hope and the healing powers of the natural world.
**Now a major film, featuring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs**
OVER 2 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
ONE OF THE TOP 100 BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS (SUNDAY TIMES 2024)
WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE CHRISTOPHER BLAND PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING
SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD
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Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall.
Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.
The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.
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Praise for The Salt Path
'A beautiful, thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, human strength and endurance' Guardian
'A tale of triumph: of hope over despair; of love over everything' Sunday Times
'Mesmerising. It is one of the most uplifting, inspiring books that I've ever read' i
'The most inspirational book of this year' The Times
'Luminescent. A literary phenomenon' Mail on Sunday
'This is what you need right now to muster hope and resilience . . . a beautiful story and a reminder that humans can endure adversity' Stylist
'A beautiful book, it really lives up to the hype . . . an enjoyable, gentle yet moving read' Pandora Sykes on The High Low
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Sunday Times bestseller, September 2023
Winner, Royal Society of Literature Christopher Bland Prize, 2018
Raynor Winn's books have sold over two million copies across all formats and languages, March 2025
The Salt Path features in the following genres: Biographies & Autobiographies, Audiobooks of the Month, Non-Fiction Books of the Month, Books of the Month, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Biography, Literature and Literary studies, Recommendations, Nature and the natural world: general interest, Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure
The Salt Path is available in Paperback, Audiobook, Hardback
The Salt Path was written by Raynor Winn and published by Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
The Salt Path has 288 pages
£9.89
