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Thread 8: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

1000 replies

DisappointedReader · 16/07/2025 23:41

Well, this has turned out to be slightly longer than the dozen or so replies I expected when I started the first thread!

The Observer The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...

2nd Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found

3rd Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-the-truth-behind-the-blockbuster-book-video

4th Observer
‘I felt I was being gaslit’ – the landlord who helped Ray...

Thread One ^www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5368194-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?^

Thread 2 Thread 2. To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet

Thread 3 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5369425-thread-3-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 4 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5370609-thread-4-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 5 Thread 5: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet

Thread 6
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-
husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 7
www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5373425-thread-7-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Raynor Winn/Sally Walker's statement Raynor Winn

New posters welcome. It would be helpful to read at least the four Observer items above before posting.

To all - Please be extremely cautious when it comes to naming or implicating people and addresses not in the public eye or with no direct connection to the story, and around the understandable health speculations, especially where details are unclear or still emerging. Please do not engage with possible visitors who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail.

We have done amazingly well together - in the main that is, not mentioning any names but you know who you are! - for seven threads so far. I can't be on the threads as much as I'd like so all help with keeping our discussion ticking along in a healthy and civil fashion is very welcome.

No saltiness. Keep to the path. Thank you.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
38
Choux · 19/07/2025 00:24

DisappointedReader · 18/07/2025 21:58

We now have @TonstantWeader as our Wales correspondent.

I remember we've also had pps along the way of the eight threads who have identified themselves as our Cornwall, France, Legal, Publishing, Author, Hiking, Medical, Neurological Conditions and Journalist correspondents but I can't remember who they all are at this point.

That is quite a decent breadth of knowledge.

Any more?

Well I work in Finance and in my late teens did some part time bookkeeping for a hotel. Not in Abersoch.

Happy to help if required.

Catwith69lives · 19/07/2025 05:59

AldoGordo · 18/07/2025 22:36

I would suggest this episode is a rarity. We can't let it cause distrust of other writers on no basis other than simply because it can happen. But I can understand your wariness too. I hope it passes.

I second that - I've followed Ursula's European walk blog in the past and she seems completely genuine.

I sincerely hope all travelogues aren't in some way tainted by the fall out from TSP scandal. Maybe some good will come out of this sorry saga and the publishing industry will be forced to adopt a more rigorous approach to fact checking memoirs before marketing them as 'unflinchingly honest'.

exasperatedflatmate · 19/07/2025 07:29

I live yards from the SWCP.
And have walked most (maybe all?) of the Cornish section. Recollections tho are appropriately hazy!

tighterthanaducksarse · 19/07/2025 07:55

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C1XYcMxve/

Aspanielstolemysanity · 19/07/2025 08:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Aspanielstolemysanity · 19/07/2025 08:22

Choux · 19/07/2025 00:24

Well I work in Finance and in my late teens did some part time bookkeeping for a hotel. Not in Abersoch.

Happy to help if required.

How often did you make the kind of mistakes that meant the money ended up in your bank account rather than the business one? Grin

PrettyDamnCosmic · 19/07/2025 08:28

TonstantWeader · 18/07/2025 19:37

@DisappointedReader leave it with me and I'll be back with a translation of the relevant bits as soon as I can. It looks as though there's an extra bit in the middle where they've more detail from the daughter, so I'll post that in due course. Article is here for anyone who speaks Welsh: www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/erthyglau/c14e10p7k8go

Google translate makes a very decent fist of translating the whole page.

www-bbc-co-uk.translate.goog/cymrufyw/erthyglau/c14e10p7k8go?_x_tr_sl=cy&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Aspanielstolemysanity · 19/07/2025 08:32

Catwith69lives · 19/07/2025 05:59

I second that - I've followed Ursula's European walk blog in the past and she seems completely genuine.

I sincerely hope all travelogues aren't in some way tainted by the fall out from TSP scandal. Maybe some good will come out of this sorry saga and the publishing industry will be forced to adopt a more rigorous approach to fact checking memoirs before marketing them as 'unflinchingly honest'.

I agree.

I don't want the whole non-fiction section tainted by this event.

But I do think publishers need to do few things

  • as a bare minimum scan the books they publish for obvious red flags (the clearly bollocks story of the investment/court case; the stupid massage fantasy)
  • not market things as "unflinchingly honest" if they haven't done some careful fact checking
  • avoid anything that smells like it is making "miracle cure" claims unless they are prepared to pay for vetting and corroboration by specialists first.
Charlize43 · 19/07/2025 08:37

FudgeitOnaBudget · 18/07/2025 22:28

Is anyone else feeling less trusting of a different (non-SW) memoir/travel/nature/healing/fundraising book you are currently reading? Have you found your reading experience change since the Observer-Winn/Walker disclosures?

I began One Woman Walks Wales by Ursula Martin early this month before Saltgate started.

Ursula is currently in the middle of walking LEJOG to spread information about ovarian cancer (she's a survivor), to fundraise for a related charity and to promote her second book, One Woman Walks Europe, at lots of independent bookshops en route. She's doing pop-up signings and organised talks as well. I met her when she was walking through my area in the South of England and had a great chat. I liked her lots - she seemed very down to earth and I'm very much enjoying her first book. I have the second lined up for when I finish it.

I feel a bit sad though that I'm aware of reserving a little bit of wariness just in case I'm proved wrong about Ursula's work in a few years time (sorry Ursula, it's not your fault and I hope that my wariness is temporary!). It's one bad taste that the whole Salt Path thing has given me. I hope my distrusting feeling goes away. I don't like it.

Not really. I read a lot of biographies (sometimes, multiples ones on the same person over the years) and I am always conscious that it is the take (or view) of the writer writing it and 'through their lens'. A good example of that is someone like Marilyn Monroe, whose story has almost become a total myth. Some books paint her as a substance addicted mess, others as a victim of Hollywood, and recently as a brilliant, savvy and sharp CEO type who knew exactly what she was doing, how much money she was making, and how to get what she wanted; a victim of the patriarchy; a dumb blonde, etc. Marilyn's sister's book was surprisingly one of the most grounded. The real Monroe's story has probably been lost now in the constant re-selling and re-telling. Also writers will often look for an angle, even if they have pummel the story to fit it or fabricate a little.

As memoirs go, the diarist Anais Nin spent years rewriting and re-editing her diaries until she could interest a publisher. At surface level you have this mammoth work on the life of a woman artist/writer from 11-73, on another level you have this embellished monument to narcissism, full of men who are in love with Anais, how wonderful and selfless she is, etc. Since she chose to focus on her 'emotional' life, the diaries aren't worth much historically or factually. Later, a lot of her life, as presented in the diaries, was exposed as a bit of a fantasy, a lot of the struggle was hollow as her life was economically propped up by her wealthy banker husband, which she had conveniently omitted, painting a picture that she's a single woman struggling through life and having multiple love affairs (some paid for, as she was wealthy enough to financially support some of her lovers).

Imagine how different TSP would be if it was suddenly revealed that Moth had a family trust fund?

gattocattivo · 19/07/2025 08:41

Aspanielstolemysanity · 19/07/2025 08:32

I agree.

I don't want the whole non-fiction section tainted by this event.

But I do think publishers need to do few things

  • as a bare minimum scan the books they publish for obvious red flags (the clearly bollocks story of the investment/court case; the stupid massage fantasy)
  • not market things as "unflinchingly honest" if they haven't done some careful fact checking
  • avoid anything that smells like it is making "miracle cure" claims unless they are prepared to pay for vetting and corroboration by specialists first.

I agree to some extent - it was fairly obvious the stuff about how they lost their house didn’t make sense. My take on it (and I assume the same for others?) was that SW and TW had made some rubbish business decisions, overstretched themselves and that’s why they ended up repossessed, and were embarrassed about it. So not an entirely accurate account but absolutely not because of repaying stolen money or anything remotely criminal.

if SW signed a contract of factual accuracy then imo the responsibility lies first and foremost with her - not the publisher. She’s in breach of contract if she entered into an agreement falsely, no?

Aspanielstolemysanity · 19/07/2025 08:56

gattocattivo · 19/07/2025 08:41

I agree to some extent - it was fairly obvious the stuff about how they lost their house didn’t make sense. My take on it (and I assume the same for others?) was that SW and TW had made some rubbish business decisions, overstretched themselves and that’s why they ended up repossessed, and were embarrassed about it. So not an entirely accurate account but absolutely not because of repaying stolen money or anything remotely criminal.

if SW signed a contract of factual accuracy then imo the responsibility lies first and foremost with her - not the publisher. She’s in breach of contract if she entered into an agreement falsely, no?

I 'm not sure it's on for publishers to use that as a "get out of jail free" card. I think they have a duty to do some basic due diligence, they plan to make money from people buying the product after all.

And I think when it comes to anyone espousing natural or unconventional cures or remedies for serious illnesses then the duty on publishers to fact check is clear

gattocattivo · 19/07/2025 09:10

Well, Penguin have confirmed that they did do due diligence, and presumably contractual agreements with the authors are a part of that.

The medical issue is a little more complex imo because of course the Salt Path walk happened 12 years ago now, so early on in Moth’s illness, so it’s not entirely implausible that he wouldn’t be too badly affected back then.

I’ve only read TSP. I read it because it became so popular; personally I didn’t think it was particularly well written so didn’t bother with any of the follow ups. So I don’t know whether SW makes more of a thing of his illness in subsequent books and whether he appears to deteriorate. I do remember feeling surprised that after TSP, there suddenly seemed to be more long walks….!!

so yes, it may be the case that Penguin should have checked the medical thing more carefully as the years went by and moth seemed to be relatively well still. But I’ve no idea how this would tie in with medical confidentiality and how far they could go with verifying that sort of detail.

as far as TSP goes, the first book and the one which the whole controversy is about, imo responsibility lies first and foremost with SW. of course a publisher has responsibilities too but from the info that’s in the public domain, it appears that SW is the one who’s in breach of contract.

i also feel for Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs because they’ve been duped too!

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 19/07/2025 09:11

tighterthanaducksarse · 19/07/2025 07:55

That's so sad 😢 I hope the poster who was asking us to feel sympathy for Salt Path Sal see that, might change their mind!

DisappointedReader · 19/07/2025 09:11

PrettyDamnCosmic · 19/07/2025 08:28

Thanks. @AldoGordo did have a go with GT but deleted it to avoid confusion when @TonstantWeader came back having translated it for us.

OP posts:
DisappointedReader · 19/07/2025 09:26

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 19/07/2025 09:11

That's so sad 😢 I hope the poster who was asking us to feel sympathy for Salt Path Sal see that, might change their mind!

I somehow doubt it. It seems that it only goes one way and that is not towards any victims.

OP posts:
cocodrilo · 19/07/2025 09:30

Walking and camping the SWCP was definitely a miracle cure for my menopausal symptoms.

The bastard symptoms returned after three months on the path, and now I'm hopelessly addicted to long distance walking.

AzureStaffy · 19/07/2025 09:37

My local WH Smith has The Salt Path still in their top ten of bestsellers and the cover has a photo from the film not the lovely artwork. The price of all 3 books is £10.99, a couple of quid more than the usual paperback price so they're cashing in on the popularity. Strangely, I walked past a couple of women discussing the issue yesterday and mentioning Gillian Anderson. There are a lot of book fairs, local Fringe type events on now and I wonder how long it'll be before The Salt Path controversy features in comedy routines and shows.

DisappointedReader · 19/07/2025 09:45

DisappointedReader · 18/07/2025 21:58

We now have @TonstantWeader as our Wales correspondent.

I remember we've also had pps along the way of the eight threads who have identified themselves as our Cornwall, France, Legal, Publishing, Author, Hiking, Medical, Neurological Conditions and Journalist correspondents but I can't remember who they all are at this point.

That is quite a decent breadth of knowledge.

Any more?

So far we've had @Choux offering services as Finance and Hotel Bookkeeping Correspondent and @exasperatedflatmate as SWCP Cornwall Correspondent. I'm sure there are more and even that we have dual and triple correspondents in some areas.

Not forgetting @AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta on Fudge.

OP posts:
Divegirl65 · 19/07/2025 09:54

Charlize43 · 18/07/2025 21:07

Has anyone seen the film? Is it any good?

I'm visiting a friend in Bath and she's suggested we go to see it. Luckily, she knows someone at the cinema who will let us in free as I am loath to give the Winn Walkers any money even indirectly.

I think Lesley Manville would have made a better and more accurate Ray than the curvaceous and glammy Gillian Anderson, don't you think?

I'm very familiar with the book and stories contained within. My frustration with the film was that the "Grant" story was changed beyond all recognition, a random girl was added who walked with them a short way and was with them for the Lightly Salted Blackberry encounter. In one of the early scenes GA had a lovely pink bucket hat on.....in the book Raynor had forgotten to pack a hat and had to borrow one of Moths later on in the trek. I could go on. I'm confused why these changes were made. And how much of an input did Raynor/Sally have if she let these inaccuracies into the final edit. I know they couldn't include everything from the book in the film but why make these changes. Aside from that the scenery is gorgeous. So if you've got a free pass no reason to not go see it.

DisappointedReader · 19/07/2025 09:59

gattocattivo · 19/07/2025 08:41

I agree to some extent - it was fairly obvious the stuff about how they lost their house didn’t make sense. My take on it (and I assume the same for others?) was that SW and TW had made some rubbish business decisions, overstretched themselves and that’s why they ended up repossessed, and were embarrassed about it. So not an entirely accurate account but absolutely not because of repaying stolen money or anything remotely criminal.

if SW signed a contract of factual accuracy then imo the responsibility lies first and foremost with her - not the publisher. She’s in breach of contract if she entered into an agreement falsely, no?

So not an entirely accurate account but absolutely not because of repaying stolen money or anything remotely criminal.

I have to disagree with you on this point. I think the evidence is there that the repossession was directly related to the debt of the unpaid loan on the house, taken out to repay the Hemmings and avoid prosecution and a possible prison sentence.

OP posts:
Charlize43 · 19/07/2025 10:03

Has she legally changed her name to Raynor Winn? I ask because I came across it on the Companies House website...

Catsbreakfast · 19/07/2025 10:03

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 20:42

Thanks for the warning @sualipa

happy to challenge the BS cloaked in moral high ground on this thread. For example, the characterisation of the wife who did not sign the NDA but who knew that it existed and what it was signed for (ie non disclosure) who felt it ok to reveal all as victim.

I’m just asking folks on here to get a grip and think about the impact of what they’re doing/saying. Does this author - who has given so much pleasure to so many - deserve to have her entrails ripped out by a group of hungry hyenas? I say no.

I’m not a plant. I just disagree with many of you that Winn is evil personified.

Were yes because it’s all a lie and she’s a criminal. Completely misleading her audience who would not have enjoyed her book if they had known about it.

Speagle · 19/07/2025 10:07

This may have been posted already but I've just noticed it:
BBC Sounds 'This Natural Life' 29th March 2025 Raynor Wynn talks about, amongst other things, the film and how she would block rabbit holes up with cowpats - so not too much trouble for the rabbits to get back inside their burrows I would have thought.
(Must learn how to add a link).

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