The Salt Path: How a blockbuster memoir strayed from the truth

The Salt Path, a memoir published in 2018, told an inspirational story; how Raynor Winn and her husband Moth lost their home following an unwise investment while the couple were dealing with Moth’s diagnosis of a rare terminal illness.

It was how they dealt with these blows that was so uplifting: they embarked on a 1,000km coastal walk and a journey of self-exploration. The book sold more than two million copies and prompted a film adaptation starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.

And while creative licence is usual and even expected in any memoir, an investigation by Chloe Hadjimatheou, a reporter with the Observer newspaper, claims Raynor – real name are Sally Walker – had embezzled money from a former employer.

Hadjimatheou also raises a sceptical eyebrow about the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration that Moth received in 2013, though she does say that nothing she has seen contradicts his diagnosis or the book’s account of it.

So what has been the reaction from the publishers, the film-makers and the couple in the eye of this literary storm – the Walkers, aka the Winns.

Statements responding to the allegations came as the week went on including one from Raynor posting on her website.

She admitted her deep regret for any mistakes she made while working for her former employer and is devastated by “unfair and false” accusations that her husband’s illness was fabricated or exaggerated. She said the book’s account of the way they lost their home is true and that their property in France is “an uninhabitable ruin”. She noted the couple have no outstanding debts.

Chloe Hadjimatheou explains the fallout to her report.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. 

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