Thread 26 : To feel disappointed - and disgusted and vindicated now too - after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

[DisappointedReader]

NO POSTS PLEASE UNTIL THREAD 25 IS FULL

Please see the OP of Thread 25 for all the links to The Observer's reporting and podcast series, our threads one to 24 and so on.

After 25,000 posts there are still new things to discuss:
BBC Sounds - Secrets of the Salt Path - Available Episodes
If you are posting about a podcast, please start your post with the episode number you are commenting on, for clarity and to help others avoid spoilers if they wish to do so.

New posters joining us in the genuine spirit of our civil discourse are welcome. It would be helpful to get the background from at least some of the Observer exposé items before posting. The Observer's excellent podcast series The Walkers (link in Thread 25) covers most things.
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, especially where details are unclear or still emerging. Remember, even Hollywood rabbits attract the odd flea: please do not engage with drive-by scolders who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail. Avoid @'ing and quoting them as - from experience - this will only encourage them back to the threads. For over 8 months we have done amazingly well together for 25 very interesting, very serious and very silly threads so far. I can't be here as much as I'd like so all help with keeping our discussion walking along in our usual reasonable and respectful fashion is very welcome.

As ever, as we embark on our 26th thread riding the community charabanc, keep to the path, no saltiness, eat fudge and drink cider.

NO POSTS PLEASE UNTIL THREAD 25 IS FULL: www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5485730-thread-25-to-feel-disappointed-and-disgusted-and-vindicated-now-too-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thanks @NervesofSteel - the above Guardian article sets out what we have been reviewing extremely well .. and all of this has been thought through a few days after the exposé. People may have varying opinions, especially as it is a film, but I think the word that stands out here is 'tainted'.

I've been following the 'Shy Girl' debacle (which is AI related and not even tangential to the TSP affair) and someone on a post about that has raised that in the Shy Girl case there has not been one word from the publisher or agent, not coming in on the side of the author or otherwise. In that case the book has been withdrawn from sale though.

But I thought it was interesting that in neither case have agent or publisher commented.

I agree @NervesofSteel, I have always thought looks wise Raynor and Moth are quite well matched, in the piece shared by @MulberryBrandy it seems Moth's charm and dress style make him appear more attractive to people. Sally is a pretty woman, she has good hair and as @HatStickBoots said, Sally looked healthy and well in the photos of her on the path, she is aging, but to say she lost everything including her looks, it's strange coming from ME, a woman who says she wants to tell the stories of older women and is an older woman herself, perhaps she didn't actually like Raynor.
I rather liked your suggested alternative casting @NervesofSteel :)

I'm with @SaltyTea about the shooting of the coastline in the film, I thought the filming for Chloe's documentary was far more dramatic.

Another scandal @Vroomfondleswaistcoat, I had a quick look, the author is trying to say that someone else wrote parts of the book and she is going to take legal advice, taking legal advice seems to be a good coverall for not having to say anything else, like Salray. Interesting that in this case even if the agent and publisher haven't made statements, the book has been withdrawn.

I just looked that up, having only been tangentially aware of it. I suppose Hachette feel they have made their statement by discontinuing the book and cancelling its US launch, and withdrawing it from Amazon — I mean, it’s pretty much the biggest statement they could make, I suppose. And knowingly publishing and continuing to distribute a book written by AI risks bringing them into serious disrepute. And of course it had only sold less than a couple of thousand copies. It wasn’t a matter of killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

In the Shy Girl case it might also be more of a case of Caveat Emptor, as the book was previously self published and bought by the publisher when it looked as though it was selling well. The author is saying that she put it out to an editor who used AI to edit - but, again in parallel with Sal's case, the buck rests with the author to CHECK details.

The Shy Girl book has been withdrawn, but there has been no apology on behalf of the publisher, no attempt at an explanation (SURELY they passed the book through their own editors before publishing, they didn't pull a self published book and then just republish it without even a cursory edit?), and the author, again in parallel with Sal, is pleading poor mental health as a result of the scandal.

We all know there's a Script for cheating husbands, perhaps there is also a Script for caught-out authors?

When TSP film is released in America, it does seem like it's going ahead, there is no way that the scandal will not be mentioned. Many interviews were given here in the UK when the film was released, the actors, director, writer and others involved. Since the revelations nothing has been heard, we have speculated that those involved are constrained by contracts.

This fresh launch in America is going to renew interest post scandal, this will change the dynamics. The actors for instance might have been expected to keep quiet, but this new release will generate interviews and the actors cannot lie, I think it will give them the opportunity to speak out, the same for ME, these people might welcome the chance, maybe JI would like to be able to say that he was duped by Raynor and Moth and that he was shocked to find out that they hadn't been conned out of their house.

They can release this film as a stand alone piece of work, but the origin will soon be publicised, I am concerned that PRH will profit further from book sales, if there is renewed interest in TSP book. The films release in America might be the thing that allows those who haven't been able to speak about the scandal, to say what they think without breaking their contracts.

I was assuming it was just going to be a release, rather than a ‘launch’ in the way it was in the UK — I mean, it’s hard to imagine either the actors or the Walkers doing chatshows etc, and didn’t it already technically have its North American premiere when it screened at the Toronto Film Festival in the autumn of 2024? Won’t it just be a matter of it appearing at a limited number of cinemas, and they’ll hope it sells on word of mouth?

They must want people to watch it @NervesofSteel, presumably they want to make money, or why else would it be released, that will involve publicity, I'm not thinking about pre arranged publicity, red carpet events or any such thing, but there will be publicity. Once the story is picked up it will likely gain momentum and a national publication will want to get interviews, possibly TV interest. I am speculating that this might be what those involved want, at the moment ME has directed her first film and she can no longer gush about it, there is no positive story in the film that is based on lies, it's become the elephant in the room for ME.

I wonder if TSP will get a harder time in the US. Over here, the reaction seems to have been diluted by people who retained a strong emotional connection to the book and the Walkers. Did TSP sell well in the States? Coming to it cold, people might judge them more harshly.

I don't think the film stands up as a standalone. It needs fans of the books or the actors to pitch up and see it at the cinema.

It’s just a small foreign indie film being distributed by a small distributor, though. Typically, that kind of film would get a limited release in a few arthouse cinemas in NY and LA, hope for some good reviews and word of mouth, and then maybe on to a few arthouse chains and streaming (especially for an older market). A high-profile review in . Might the fact that it’s English-language and stars GA bump things up slightly? Possibly.

Yes, the production company and distributor will hope it performs well in the US market, but what ‘well’ might look like could be quite low-key, anyway. Given the circumstances, who knows? It may be that it’s more important for the producers that it gets a US release, however limited, in terms of having future projects greenlit.

It is just a little film @NervesofSteel, but it is linked to an international best seller, unfortunately I can't find any breakdown of sales by country, only an overview that the book sold well in America. It might pass under the radar, but what are the chances that it can be released and no one picks up on the scandal, which is more interesting than the film. I agree @SaltyTea, the reaction in America might be very different, they might react to the film, here it's been the book, the emotions could be different. UK investigations have looked at those hurt by the book and Raymoth's actions. The Americans might react to the damage caused to the filmmakers and actors, a fresh scandal, I don't know how much affection there is for JI and GA in America. Airing the controversy to the film will help ME to get further projects, otherwise she is left with this albatross.

Hopefully ME will survive this @Freshsocks From the figures I've seen the film seems to have washed its face. I'm still surprised she didn't pick up on some of the problems with the book's storyline.

I wonder if there's some contractual reason that the film is releasing in the US? Everyone concerned might only have signed up on the understanding that there would be a US release (after all, none of the scandal had broken when the film was being cast/in production, so no reason to expect no US release) and that, because it's a contractual obligation, the film HAS to come out in the US. But instead of going big with huge premieres, interviews etc, it's going with a small distributor and will be 'soft launched' to show at a few small cinemas.

Disappointing for those who only came on board expecting a huge multi-national success and awards up the wazoo, but this is what happens when you believe a liar.

I agree @SaltyTea, the film did well before the scandal broke, so hopefully they didn't lose out financially. It seems like so many people were sucked in by Salray emotionally, @MulberryBrandy shared the piece about ME finding out her mother was terminally ill with cancer, on the day she first met Salray. People's emotions and their reaction to COVID seems to have clouded their judgement and helped Salray in her deception. ME had read TSP and loved it, as @HatStickBoots has pointed out in past posts, lots of things that should have rung alarm bells were put down to the awful experiences Salray was supposed to have endured. Ruth Saberton made the same allowances when dealing with Raynor, thinking her guardedness was due to having been mistreated by others. It doesn't explain why problems with the storyline didn't ring any alarm bells. Good point about contractual obligation for American release @Vroomfondleswaistcoat.

Oh, I’m sure it contractually needed a US release, which is why it’s getting one.

I don’t think ME’s career is adversely affected. It was an unfortunate first film, certainly, for someone making her film debut, but she’s got a very established, successful career in theatre — she’s directing Jonathan Bailey and Arianna Grande in Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican next year, which will be huge. It’s probably more potentially damaging for the production company as regards future projects being greenlit. At least I imagine so.

It would have been interesting had the timings been a bit different. If the Observer story had come out after the film was shot but while it was still in post-production, would it have ever been released? Straight to streaming? With some kind of disclaimer, or edited differently? Would GA and JI have lawyered up and refused to do publicity?

I think you are right about ME @NervesofSteel, she comes from a very established theatrical family, there will always be opportunities open to her. I would really like to see the film released in America, for the press to pick up on the scandal and for there to be huge interest in the story. It would be good to hear what JI and GA think about it all, how they were duped, how Moth told JI that he had wanted to kill himself, I would like to know how GA feels, especially as she lost her brother to a degenerative condition, how she feels about portraying, not a woman that is to be admired but a con woman.

ME instead of giving voice to a deserving older woman, has promoted a charlatan, to just not say anything and screen the film in America as if it stands alone, will signify that the owners of the film still intend to put money into Raymoth's bank account. Are they going to try to say that the film transcends the scandal and connects with people on a human level, that will be hard to stomach.

Yes, it's more the idea that RayMoth is going to earn even MORE money from the film and possible increase of book sales in the US that makes me angry. If they could divorce the film from the book ('inspired by' or something) I wouldn't feel so bad about it. I just hate the idea that she's going to earn more money from this utter grift and isn't suffering any repercussions, other than having to stay indoors a lot.

Agreed. Also it’s absolutely unforgivable that websites about or from Cornwall and the SWCP association itself have still not updated their pages with the information that this garbage book was not a true story of courage or hope or any other batshit claim about a degenerative illness that magically reversed and they were NOT homeless. The ‘lost their home’ due to their greed and utter stupidity. It didn’t just fly away from them unaided like a tent’s groundsheet that slipped through their fingers on a blustery day at the edge of a cliff.
Waterstones still haven’t updated the blurb. Penguin however, appear to be hiding behind a curtain, dropped from page one of my search for The Salt Path, which is search engine terms is death and leads me to think that they are no longer paying to actively promote it.
I agree with you @Freshsocks about the problematic aspect of GA having inadvertently played the part of this grifter. This must be hitting very hard for many reasons. She was so excited about the part and fully invested in the character of Raynor Winn. Sally Walker has effectively just pushed her face down into the mud. The unfortunate thing is that the actors must remain impartial and unaffected. They are scrutinised for any glimpse of an emotion off stage and will not be able to share their honest feelings about any of it while that film has to generate an income. I assume they have coping mechanisms for stressful occasions such as this and treat it in the same manner as they would with any part they’ve played that’s had an effect on their emotional or mental wellbeing.

@HatStickBoots
I assume they have coping mechanisms for stressful occasions such as this treat it in the same manner as they would with any part they’ve played that’s had an effect on their emotional or mental wellbeing.

I presume they use the same techniques as they have for when a film they appear in is absolutely panned by every reviewer; they have to detach. They will be on to new roles now anyway, so I guess that they hope that it's 'onwards and upwards'.

I do think it is incredible that the film makers had such a high level of belief in the miracle of Moth. I shared the Variety review of August 2024, where the film was seen in LA, and it was pointed out what a miraculous blessing it was for Moth but irresponsible to promote the Walkers' cure for a degenerative disease in the film.

We then have article writers being taken by Moth's sartorial elegance and ME calling him a charismatic, lovely man. Alongside this, Radio Cornwall said how there were strictly no interviews with Moth - how convenient. It is a carefully orchestrated show and successful scam. The Walkers were given a showpiece and the celebration of them has been stunning.

Absolutely. So much time has passed between now and the original fictional diagnosis that it is embarrassing. I believe they’re hiding out in order to prolong the mystery surrounding his health. They must know now that they cannot continue to present Moth as a man who has reversed his decline from CBD by any method. The veil has been lifted after all and we see the Emperor without his clothes. The American market for these books and film may not be as forgiving as their British counterparts. They may want to sue Raynor Winn personally if events are still being presented as true and they then become personally affected by that.

They could market the movie on Truth Social.

Well, I don’t disagree, but the film makers weren’t alone in being duped. They’d optioned, ;possibly against stiff competition, an incredibly successful bestseller that had been glowingly reviewed, widely bought, and whose author and main character had become public darlings over two sequels.

I mean, I have no idea what the film company’s due diligence would have looked like, but I can’t believe TSP wouldn’t have felt like a very safe bet, and that figures regarded with so much affection and after so much press coverage, would have seemed deeply unlikely to turn out to be thieves, scam artists and compulsive liars.

I imagine everyone involved in the film is furious and disgusted with the Walkers because they acted, directed, photographed etc in good faith. But they’re being loyal to the film they made.

The film unfortunately highlighted how bad the dialogue was in the book. The scene with the blackberry pickers for example was embarrassingly fake in the film and it’s obvious why the pedigree rabbits looked so silly in the film but equally in the book it was too, probably. Were wild rabbits really that trusting around these humans? The big challenge in the film was to try and make a fake book look real.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/apr/04/enough-of-this-me-me-me-blake-morrison-on-memoir-in-the-age-of-oversharing