Raynor Wynn: The Wild Silence (March 2022)

The Wild Silence is a sequel to The Salt Path which half of our group had read. The first book told the true story of Raynor Winn and her husband Moth who, having lost their farm and home, walked the South-West Path, camping wild and surviving on £48 a week.

Moth had been diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration, which is incurable. Their decision, though allowing that their options were limited, seemed counterintuitive and against medical advice. Astonishingly, his health improved through this vigorous exercise and, Raynor suggested, the healing power of nature.

The Wild Silence began with the couple renting a flat in Polruan where Raynor became rather reclusive, but Moth, despite his condition, successfully completed a degree course.

Raynor’s mother’s death caused her to reflect on her early life and how she met and married Moth, despite her parents’ disapproval. (We do not know if they came to terms with the relationship).

Raynor realised that Moth was losing precious memories of their long walk together, so she wrote The Salt Path for his benefit, but the book was published and was a great success.

They were offered a run-down farm to renovate and decided to undertake another arduous walk in Iceland hoping to, once again, restore Moth’s failing health and lift their spirits.

Our group found that reading the first book as well as this one helped to form a fuller picture of this couple though some of us thought The Wild Silence was not as engaging as The Salt Path which dealt with familiar territory of the South-West and raised issues of homeless and poverty.

We thought the writing was good and most found their story involving. We were left caring about what happens next to Raynor and Moth and wondered if there will be a third instalment.

We gave this book 4 out of 5.