Name: Doug Belshaw's review of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
Item: The Salt Path
Rating: 3
Author: Doug Belshaw

Raynor Winn

In one devastating week, Raynor and her husband Moth lost their home of 20 years, just as a terminal diagnosis took away their future together. With nowhere else to go, they decided to walk the South West Coast Path- a 630-mile sea-swept trail from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. This ancient, wind-battered landscape strips them of every comfort they had previously known. With very little money for food or shelter, Raynor and Moth carry everything on their backs and wild camp on beaches and clifftops. But slowly, with every step, every encounter, and every test along the way, the walk sets them on a remarkable journey. They don't know how far they will travel, but - to their surprise - they find themselves on a path to freedom. The Salt Pathis an unflinchingly honest, inspiring, and life-affirming true story about coming to terms with grief and the healing power of nature. Ultimately, it is a book about home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt, and rediscovered in the most unexpected of ways.

The Salt Path

Doug Belshaw

I expected that, since the book is set against the stunning backdrop of the rugged English coastline and nature, it would dive deeply into the inner thoughts and reflections of the narrator. Instead, I found the story surprisingly flat and, emotionally thin.

Celeste Eijkenboom

Simple in description, and even in tone, this book has a persuasive pull throughout, a reminder and an inspiration a different way of life.

Beatrix

Great story, could vision the journey. Well written 

Joanna Tweedale

When a book is recommended to you as many times as this one was you wonder if it will match the hype. 

Simply a beautiful and inspiring story. Raw and emotional, a heart ripped open and laid bare. 

Liam Richardson

When a book is recommended to you as many times as this one was you wonder if it will match the hype. 

Well it does.

Simply a beautiful and inspiring story. Raw and emotional, a heart ripped open and laid bare. 

Brilliantly written in full colour a powerful true story of resilience 

SF. Sutcliffe 

My wife bought me this after a recommendation from a family member. It's well-written, but I didn't particularly like the author or her partner. I also felt like she was somewhat of an unreliable narrator.

Still, as someone who has completed multi-day walking trips, it's always interesting to read other accounts. I guess it's made me consider walking the south west coastal path.

My wife bought me this after a recommendation from a family member. It's well-written, but I didn't particularly like the author or her partner. I also felt like she was somewhat of an unreliable narrator.

Still, as someone who has completed multi-day walking trips, it's always interesting to read other accounts. I guess it's made me consider walking the south west coastal path.

I felt as though I was on the path with them, the descriptions, the beauty, the sadness and the love. Truly breathtaking and will stay with me always. 

Laura Gill

_________ The uplifting true story of the couple who lost everything and embarked on a journey of salvation across the windswept South West coastline. THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLER & SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD & WAINWRIGHT GOLDEN BEER BOOK PRIZE 2018 'A beautiful, thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, human strength and endurance' Guardian 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. ___________ 'Mesmerising. It is one of the most uplifting, inspiring books that I've ever read' i 'A thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, strength and endurance' The Week 'An astonishing narrative of two people dragging themselves from the depths of despair along some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, looking for a solution to their problems and ultimately finding themselves' Independent 'The Salt Path is a life-affirming tale of enduring love that smells of the sea and tastes of a rich life. With beautiful, immersive writing, it is a story heart-achingly and beautifully told.' Jackie Morris 'The landscape is magical: shape-shifting seas and smugglers' coves; myriads of sea birds and mauve skies. Raynor writes exquisitely . . . It's a tale of triumph: of hope over despair; of love over everything' The Sunday Times

The Uplifting True Story. a Sunday Times Bestseller. Now Long Listed for the Wainwright Prize

Meg Ferguson

After being very excited for @tofftalks August Pick, I was left disappointed. I felt like an outsider in Moth and Ray’s journey along the coastal path and could not get into the story. 
I could see why a lot of people would enjoy the story due to the inspiration that Ray’s story brought with it however, it wasn’t a story that left me wanting to change my life unlike other people’s reviews on the book. 
I have a lot of respect for the story that Ray chose to share with us and for the journey that her and Moth went on. It just wasn’t one for me.

Jan Jackson

A tale of loss, and finding. A journey in darkness, and into the light. A commentary on who we are, and how scared we are of losing our place. A recognition of the lies behind Government statistics, and the idiocy of the law. All in all, a great, sobering, and inspiring read. Where strangers become friends, and some people are changed forever.

Nadia

Ciska van Bokhorst

Niet wat ik ervan had verwacht helaas....

Juliana Matias

I would really like to enjoy at least 1 book that my book club picks. Even the times I choose the book I tend to hate it. I think it'd be nice not to just complain for an hour. Alas, this was not the month. Let me recap our discussion to choose this book.

Person 1: I'd like to read a happy book - nothing sad please.

Person 2: Can we choose fiction this time?

Person 3: What about this book which is the true story of an old couple who lost everything and became homeless and decided to walk the coastal path in Cornwall?

Everyone: *nods*

Me: WTF? Are you people serious?

But I digress. Let's talk about The Salt Path. I'd say there are spoilers in this review, but as there is no real plot - it's non-fiction, I don't think it applies.

This book is the true story of a couple who lost their farm, which was their house and livelihood due to a bad investment with a "friend", and then went on to try and fight the lawsuit without lawyers and supposedly lost everything because they didn't file evidence correctly. One week or so before they start walking the path and wild camping (which is illegal in the UK) the husband gets diagnosed with a degenerative nerve disease. They don't want to wait for council housing and decide to go walking anyway.

That's it. 

Well, there's a bit of them being taken advantage of by another friend during the winter and rebuilding a shed for somewhere to stay, and then another bit about them taking advantage of student loans they never thought they could repay in the end.

I think there are 2 sides to this review. First of all, to a certain extent, this book did inspire some reflection and discussion on what it means to be homeless and how we see and treat people we perceive to be so, versus the multitude of reasons that can drive people to homelessness, so I'll give it props for that.

On the other hand, this book was just boring. It's 300+ pages of descriptions of camping. Very little happens, and when it does it's gone by fast and we're back to the boredom of the camping/hiding/peeing in the woods. I mean, there was a portion when she was describing going by places in which I've been and recognize (and I'm a sucker for these things), but even then I couldn't bring myself to stop skimming because it was so boring.

In the end, I guess I don't know why she wrote this book. Or better yet, I don't know why this book needs to exist. There's no underlying moral, there's no thesis, she's not trying to say anything. She's just chronicling her journey, and to be honest the only reason I can think of why she'd do it is for the money. She had to pay off that student loan somehow, I guess.

Well, I guess I have to be fair, and say one of the people in my book club absolutely loved it. So I guess I'm just not this book's audience. I'm just a little heartless, and bitter about not DNFing books that aren't for me.

Amy Brown 

Tascha | alllora

I had high expectations for The Salt Path but I don't think I've ever wanted a book to end more than whilst I was reading this. It was just 288 pages of moaning, blaming and not so subetly shaming others for living a "traditional" life. 

I understand the concept; highlighting the misconceptions and stereotypes of homeless people in the UK, but I personally disliked the almost grotesque way this was done. There was absolutely no nuance and I often felt like I was being preached to. Fellow hikers that Raynor and Moth met along the path were always looked down on and shamed because they had a bed to sleep in or because they were simply there for a holiday and not because they had nowhere else to go. 

The whole book just felt very self piteous; the world is to blame for all of their issues, big and small. 

Moth also didn't feel like a real person to me, Raynor rarely mentioned him and he never seemed to say anything. The only time he was brought up was when we needed to be reminded that he was ill and we must feel sorry for them and their situation. 

I just didn't feel like I gained anything from this book, it was a torturous read that left a bad taste in my mouth.

Lisa Beasley

This was an odd one for me. There were parts I really liked such as the descriptions of the coastal path and some of the people they met along the way. But a lot of it lost me as it just seemed to be very repetative. There was also a lot of bemoaning the reputation homeless people had but then not long after they would both try to distinguish themselves from the homeless, which felt a little hypocritical. Also it really bugged me how their kids did not keep in touch or seem to give much of a shit what was happening with their parents - annoying especially when you know their dad is very very ill.

Overall it was just a bit boring for me. But I know I am in the minority.

Laura Dobie

Touching, uplifting and filled with beautiful descriptions of the south west coast.

Kathy Allatt

Joseph Wilcox

Victoria Justice

Bring nature into your home with the uplifting true story of the couple who lost everything and embarked on a journey of salvation across the windswept South West coastline. '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 GUARDIAN BEST BOOKS OF SUMMER 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. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY LITERATURE CHRISTOPHER BLAND PRIZE & SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2018 COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD & WAINWRIGHT GOLDEN BEER BOOK PRIZE 2018 'A beautiful, thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, human strength and endurance' Guardian '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

Doug Belshaw &
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

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Doug Belshaw &The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

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Doug Belshaw &
The Salt Path by Raynor Winn