I was really taken with the book when I read it when it first came out, and told my husband about it. He is very astute and immediately said “Something about how they lost the house doesn’t quite add up”. I’ll be showing him the Observer article that makes the real situation very clear!
I gave up on her second book, it was dead boring. Haven’t seen the film, too may mixed reviews.
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TV, radio, film, Arts
The Salt Path (The Film)
(333 Posts)I think there have been quite a few discussions on GN about the book since its publication. We went to see the film this afternoon, mixed reviews, not an overwhelming 5 stars from some critics. I loved it, found it very affecting in the portrayal of the depth of Ray and Moth's relationship, a rock solid marriage facing insurmountable problems, losing their home, subsequently made homeless, related in flashbacks. Practically penniless bar the meagre weekly benefit they received drawn along the way, whilst they set off on what would seem an insane challenge given Moth's serious and rare illness. Set backs en route, not least of all the elements wreaking havoc on their flimsy tent whilst they undertake the daunting, but beautiful south west coastal walk, I love that part of the world one of the reasons that drew me to the book in the first place.. Fantastic acting particularly from Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs ultimately uplifting.
I read The Observer article, I feel a bit of an idiot now having bigged up the film. I knew nothing about the rumblings of discontent and the shady back history. I read first the book and lately saw the film taking it all at face value, just an uplifting story in overcoming adversity. The added attraction for me I love the setting, currently wending our way back from a glorious week in Devon via a night in Somerset. I've come to adore the West Country.
Shame they have been somewhat economical with the truth, even her name, which I thought was unusual is a pseudonym 
I did wonder about "Moth" s illness so many years later. What a story.
Thankyou for these links.
I am not a bit surprised, …..a bit like John and Anne Darwin who faked his death and deceived even their own children. At least they did not cheat so many people.
I now feel justified in thoroughly disliking the Raynor Winn woman in the book.
I hope and trust that all the people they cheated will be repaid ?
I’ve read the article and I’m not surprised, even without them having a home in France, I always thought it strange that they didn’t prepare in case they lost their Welsh home.
I’m sure in the book they said they had a van stored somewhere, they could have sold it rather than starve.
I think more will come out, after this article.
Yes, that was actually one part of the “true” story I found difficult to believe, but was willing to accept it.
The comments by the neurologists are particularly interesting.
observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found
Another Observer article.
I am a bit surprised tbh.
I sort of could accept that they were petty thieves etc, because of the apparent trauma they had been through, (although I didn’t like it) but I never expected such dreadful deceit.
Their behaviour has been outrageous.
My goodness I have just read the article in todays Observer (6/7).
Everything about them is a lie - apart I assume them actually walking the SWW!
Liars, embezzlers, false friends. It is all there for us to read.
I read and enjoyed The Salt Path - largely because I am Cornish, I have been entirely fooled.
A friend asked me to go with her this week so off we went.
I found it rather dull, as did my friend but we have both read the book. The cinema was nearly empty.
foxie48
I hope you enjoy it Allira I went with three friends and we all did but I think we have similar tastes. I know the early sections of the Salt Path fairly well so I was a bit surprised to see, what I think was East Head popping up early on. It's a lovely part of the world but definitely not on the Salt Path!
Neither is our town!
I can’t make out the authors accent at all but I’m sure that Gillian Anderson does it very well. I just don’t like it very much. And I’m saying that as someone from Birmingham who loves a Brummie accent. I will see the film eventually. I enjoyed the book but not to the extent that I want a brilliant adaptation of it. I won’t be bitterly disappointed as I was with Captain Corellis Mandolin.
I hope you enjoy it Allira I went with three friends and we all did but I think we have similar tastes. I know the early sections of the Salt Path fairly well so I was a bit surprised to see, what I think was East Head popping up early on. It's a lovely part of the world but definitely not on the Salt Path!
I might have to go now, just to check out her accent and to see if DGD and I are in any shots 😁
Having read some negative reviews of the film I went this evening with fairly low expectations, however, I was very pleasantly surprised. It's a lovely film. Good acting, glorious photography, stayed fairly well to the book but not slavishly and the best part of two hours went by pretty quickly. The film IMO is an easier watch than the book is to read iyswim but I enjoyed both. For the poster who didn't like RW's accent in the film, I thought it was a pretty good attempt at a Midlands accent but I'm not from Melton Mowbray! Anyway, anyone who enjoyed the book should find something to like about the film, I think. Anyone who hasn't read the book but loves British Coastal scenery won't be disappointed and anyone who needs a thrill a minute to keep them awake, will absolutely hate it!
I wonder how many people have read the book and then did the same walk under the impression it is fine to sponge off others as they go.
Oh I see, it’s me that’s being sanctimonious. I thought Marmin meant those posters who were basking in their warm feelings of compassion whilst requiring others to carry the cost of the act 😬
Marmin
Is there just a whiff of sanctimony in some of th? comments on this thread?
Not stealing and thinking it's wrong is not sanctimonious.
A street urchin with nothing and no education? Perhaps.
Two well-educated people who lost their home and livelihood through her over-confidence in her own abilities? No. She could have got a job.
Early on in their journey, Raynor dropped some of the few coins they had left outside a shop. She was on the ground trying to get them out of a drain when a woman with a dog started “poking me with her foot, saying: ‘Get up, you drunken tramp, we don’t want people like you here.’ I was thinking: Who’s she talking to? Then I realised she was talking to me
But she was being somewhat economical with the truth.
They had some money and they had tax credits they could ave drawn. But that wouldn't have made a story.
Compassion isn’t a feeling, as in I feel so sorry for them. It’s an act that is carried out.
I don’t think so.
Just a lack of caring for the people who are actually suffering.
Those who advocate compassion for taking from small businesses can do so freely because it is free for them. It costs them nothing.
Obviously those who have taken the service or goods have a gain not a loss, they ensure their needs are met.
And yet the people who are really suffering the loss are invisible to them. When posters here call for others to show compassion, they are really saying that it is for small business owners to people to do that, not me or themselves.
Is there just a whiff of sanctimony in some of th? comments on this thread?
Ah , the warm glow that comes from knowing oneself to be a truly caring and compassionate person.
And the even warmer glow that comes from knowing that all the costs will be borne by somebody else 😬
I tend to agree with Lathyrus
If everyone stole what they wanted or thought they needed from small businesses, there would be no small businesses surviving.
Packing fleeces? Well done. There are many other casual jobs too.
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