A Triumph of Defiance

I've just finished reading The Salt Path, Raynor Winn's memoir of the courage that she and her husband Moth displayed in walking the South West Coast Path. I cried when I reached the final page, because her writing had so invested me in their journey, caused as it was by a series of unforeseen events. Moth was diagnosed with probable corticobasal degeneration, CBD; a few painful years to live. He had invested trustingly in a childhood friend's business venture, which failed; Moth liable for a debt which exceeded the value of their Welsh farm home/business. It was about to be taken away.

No home, no jobs, no money, no hope.

They decided to spend the next months walking the path. 630 miles from Minehead to Poole via Land's End.

Obviously, as a Cornwall (although not Cornish) resident, I was attracted by the idea of recognising familiar locations along their journey. Other than that, though, it's not the kind of book to which I would normally be attracted. I lack empathy for strangers; they're not my thing. But from start to finish, the brilliant exposition of their story pulls me in and I am with Ray and Moth all the way, feeling their worries, pain, fears and sheer hardships. Multiple setbacks about money (lack of), food (shortage), wild camping locations (fear of discovery) and above all Moth's health, simply lead to their being even more determined to do what they've set out to do. They frequently feel close to giving up but they have no home, no jobs, no life to go back to.

The writing captures dramatic moments, beautifully described scenery, hardships, humour and above all Ray's inner thoughts. We are not just observers but participants in the drama. Sometimes you read about people who you feel are simply better than you and I'm not ashamed to say that's my take on this tale.

I don't want to go into details in case readers haven't read it yet. If you haven't, you would not regret doing so. It's been made into a film of the same name, in cinemas now. I'm not a fan of watching a film adaptation after reading the book - often a disappointment in my view although OK the other way round - but with Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs starring and the book often having a visual feeling, I may overcome my aversion. I'll let you know if I do.