Table of Contents
Topline
The publisher behind “The Salt Path,” a bestselling book that claims to be based on a true story, has defended its factchecking after an investigation by British newspaper The Observer claimed the book, and subsequent movie, was “highly misleading” and “spun from lies, deceit and desperation.”
Gillian Anderson and Raynor Winn attend the premiere of the movie “The Salt Path” during the 2025 … More
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Key Facts
In her book, Raynor Winn claims she and her husband, Moth Winn, invested in the business of a childhood friend and ultimately lost their beloved 17th-century Welsh farmhouse when the friend took them to court to recoup their debt after the business failed.
Suddenly homeless, and coping with her husband’s unexpected diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration, a terminal illness, the couple decides to hike the 630-mile South West Coast Path in England that Winn says “transformed us completely and altered the course of our lives.”
But the Observer investigation claims the Winns, whose legal names are Sally and Tim Walker, lied about the reality of their financial situation and questions the veracity of his diagnosis.
Several named sources claimed Raynor Winn actually embezzled £64,000 (about $87,000) from her employer years before writing her memoir, dodged related criminal charges and lost the family home after failing to repay one of many significant debts.
The woman who moved into the Winn’s home after it was repossessed said she received a stream of letters addressed to them with unpaid bills and credit card statements, letters from debt collection agencies and an unpaid speeding fine, and a local business owner in their town said he, too, is owed money from the couple.
The Observer article also calls into question the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration, a progressive brain disease similar to Parkinson’s with a life expectancy of six to eight years, considering Moth Winn “has been living with the condition for 18 years and he seems to have no visibly acute symptoms.”
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Contra
Winn defended her story in a statement to The Observer, calling it “the true story of our journey,” and later told BBC the article was “highly misleading,” without specifically saying why. Winn has canceled a planned book reading tour in the UK, and a statement from her legal team said she was “deeply sorry to let down those who were planning to attend the Saltlines tour, but while this process is ongoing, she will be unable to take part.” Publishing house Penguin on Wednesday said in a statement to BBC that it “undertook all the necessary pre-publication due diligence, including a contract with an author warranty about factual accuracy, and a legal read, as is standard with most works of non-fiction.” Penguin also said it had not been notified of any concerns about the book before hearing from The Observer. Number 9 Films and Shadowplay Features, which made “The Salt Path” movie, told the BBC Monday the film is “a faithful adaptation of the book that we optioned” and “we undertook all necessary due diligence before acquiring the book.”
Surprising Fact
The Observer suggests Raynor Winn embezzled tens of thousands from her former employer Martin Hemmings’ family-run business. Hemmings’ widow, Ros, spoke to the paper and said she was glad her husband, who died in 2012, didn’t live to see the book and film. Ros said her daughter has spoken before about the parts of the story she says are fabricated, and that, “when she found any of the books in charity shops, she would write a little homily in the front about what Sally’s really like.”
Big Number
More than 2 million. That’s how many copies the book, a Sunday Times bestseller, has sold since its publication in March 2018 as one of Britain’s most successful nonfiction books in recent years, according to The Observer.
Tangent
PSPA, the UK charity dedicated to people affected by CBD, told BBC it has “made the decision to terminate our relationship with the family” and a video of Moth Winn talking about his condition has been removed from its website.
What We Don’t Know
If “The Salt Path” film will be released in the United States. The movie released in England on May 30 and has grossed about $16 million so far. It’s set to premier in Germany and France, and a deal is reportedly underway for US release.
Further Reading
The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were spun from lies, deceit and desperation (The Observer)
Penguin says it did ‘all necessary due diligence’ with The Salt Path (BBC)
5 Of Europe’s Set-Jetting Destinations Now Trending In 2025 (Forbes)
