What a wonderful follow up to a fantastic debut. I enjoyed the Salt Path and was excited to read Raynor's next title. I feel a strong connection to the couple and their journey. I loved reading about the farm and the developments in their lives.

I enjoyed reading this memoir about a couple who have lost everything and decide to walk the South West coastal path between Cornwall and Devon with nothing but the packs on their back. It is a life affirmative and uplifting read with many ups and downs along the way. Highly recommended

Following on from The Salt Path, which like many I loved, I was unsure this could live up to its predecessor and it’s perfect dry wit, honesty and warmth so avoided reading it for quite a while. I’m very pleased to say my fears were utterly unfounded. Once again Raynor Winn never shies away from the hardship and grief that living alongside Moth’s illness brings, yet never becomes maudlin or depressing. But shining through everything is the sheer joy & solace both author and Moth find in the natural world. Beautiful, visceral and absorbing, I’m so glad I finally succumbed to Winn’s compelling prose again.

After Raynor Winn’s account of what she and her husband Moth did when, they lost everything – including his health – this sequel looks at them trying to return to a more settled way of life. After walking 600 odd miles of the Cornish coast, living on cliffs and beaches for most of a year, this is difficult to adjust to. Moth’s health has been helped by their gruelling adventures but he still has a terminal diagnosis. Help comes from a person who heard the story and wanted to offer them a farm tenancy rewilding on an old farming model. This is the story of their further adventures in nature, the wild and with each other. It proves, I think, that if you can find the will, you’re never finished with having a zest for life and adventuring while you can still draw breath, no matter your age or health. As moving and uplifting as the first book.

The long awaited follow up to The Salt Path is just as beautifully written and just as captivating as the first book. Against all odd's, Moth's terminal illness appears to have been held at bay by their immersive experience walking the British coastline. In The Wild Silence, Moth and Raynor have returned to a life with walls and corners, but they find themselves struggling to adapt. Until that is, they are offered the chance to rewild a Cornish farmhouse...

I loved that we were given more of Raynor and Moth's story - this is a must read for anyone who loved The Salt Path, and a fascinating insight into what rewilding really means.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful follow up to The Salt Path, I love reading about Raynor and Moths lives together. Their love shines through, for each other and for nature and reconnecting with the land. Beautifully written, this makes me want to get out there in to the open and walk along our magnificent coastline.

I enjoyed this book. It is well-written and very moving, and I found it hard to put down. A beautiful book, which I will be recommending.

A continuation of the story begun in The Salt Path ,this tells what Ray and Moth did after their walk along the South Coastal Path.It begins when they return to a more settled life in a Cornish village,as Moth studies for a university degree which Ray hopes will focus his mind away from his terminal illness.However, as he finds difficulties in studying,Ray feels a return to walking will help to improve his health as it did when they walked the Salt Path, and also help her to deal with her difficulty living in a village community. She describes the way that writing her first book changed their lives ,and the grief caused by the death of her mother , which is written with such poignancy I could hardly bear to read it.
I particularly loved the section about the couple’s walk in Iceland ; I was there last year and it was so beautifully described that I felt I was back .
The couple’s life changes again when they are offered the tenancy of a farm to run in their own eco-friendly way ,but as Moth’s illness continues to have an impact on his ability to run the farm ,Ray feels the need to return to walking.
Despite the trials faced by the couple ,this book is uplifting and life-affirming,but also deeply moving.Ray describes the natural world and her love for the land so perfectly that it made me want to put on some boots and get out there too .
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

In The Wild Silence, Raynor Winn recounts how the writing of The Salt Path came about, namely her growing realization that Moth had no memory of certain events during their time on the South West Coast Path. “He had let go of a moment that hung so brightly on my tree of memory that I could find its glow in any dark place. But for him the light had dimmed and gone.” She decides to transfer the pencilled notes from their trusty guidebook into a more readable form. “If the guidebook could put me on the path, could it do so for Moth too?”

The book goes on to describe the journey to publication of the book that eventually became The Salt Path (not the author’s original preferred title) and readers’ reaction to it. An introvert by nature, Raynor talks honestly about how difficult initially she found it to attend public events to promote the book. However, hearing the very personal responses to it – “Stories of lives lived, loves lost and walks that changed beliefs” – made it easier over time.

Ironically, it is publicity for The Salt Path that leads to an offer too tempting for Raynor and Moth to refuse – the chance to restore a neglected cider farm and increase its biodiversity. As Raynor notes, “The South West Coast Path had led us out of anguish and despair to a place of hope and possibility. And now, by walking it again on paper, The Salt Path had led us to the farm.”

What started as observation in The Salt Path, namely the positive impact on Moth’s health of their time on the South West Coast Path, is translated in The Wild Silence into a passionate thesis on the contribution that exposure to the natural world has on our physical and mental health. In particular, human interaction with the chemicals emitted by plants. “We need the plants, the land, the natural world; we actually physically need it.”

And it seems to work, having an effect on not just Moth’s health but the natural world on and around the farm. “As surely as removing heavy human interference from the land was allowing the wildlife to return to the farm, so Moth was surviving by returning to a more natural state of existence.” That wildlife includes mice, ospreys, herons, badgers, roe deer, moles, foxes, goat moths, skylarks, goldfinches and toads – not all of it outside the farmhouse.

In fact, Moth’s health is restored to such an extent that he proposes they undertake another long walk. I won’t say where except that it’s through a cold, harsh environment.

As in The Salt Path there is some wonderful writing such as this description of sunset over the Cornish coast: “Torn ribbons of colour fluttering across the evening sky, a maypole dance of light“. Or this, describing the impact of the cider farm being restored: “A deep glow of noise, moving like a whisper across land freed from pollution, lifting over pollen-filled banks of new-sown flowers.”

If you loved The Salt Path you’ll enjoy finding out what happened next and immersing yourself in more of Raynor Winn’s passionate advocacy of the benefits of nature.

Another wonderful piece of writing from the very talented author of The Salt Path. We are taken on a rollercoaster of emotion to revisit childhood, discovering her soul mate, early travels, grief, renewal and learning to jump. Another love story to/about her beloved Moth and their journeys together. An incredible seemingly impossible trip to trek Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail brought back many forgotten memories for myself hiking the same paths. A stunning book from a writer whose emergence from hiding behind a settee to finding peace and confidence in nature is a lesson to us all. Thank you Raynor Winn for a stunning, stripped bare gift of a book.

I just loved The Salt Path and was so inspired by Ray and Moth's story of resilience in the face of immense difficulties. I was delighted to be given the opportunity to review Ray's second book. Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a review copy.

Whereas The Salt Path uplifted me, I found parts of The Wild Silence rather grueling. It continue's Ray and Moth's story as they find themselves living near the coast path, but with a roof over their head once more. But Ray feels trapped indoors and Moth's health starts to decline once again. Maybe it is a testament to Ray's writing that I actually felt rather claustrophobic reading parts of the story. A large section of the book also deals with the slow and painful death which her mother suffered. Whilst I understand its inclusion, as Ray felt she was foreseeing the death her husband may suffer, for me it was possibly just too personal to have shared so openly and so extensively.

Without wanting to give too much away, I think the story really starts to shine further into the book when they start their new life. As a reader you really feel like you have gone through the dark times with Ray and Moth and that you can start to breathe more easily again once they start their new project.

There were certainly some lovely humorous moments in the book, such as when Ray found herself in a meeting of the Women's Institute, but she makes her fears and insecurities so real that this voice gets rather lost at times.

I was just settling into the book, when they go off to walk in Iceland. That section didn't really grip me, despite the fact I have also walked in Iceland and could very much relate to the descriptions of the unforgiving landscape.

So although I am absolutely humbled by the determination and perseverance shown by Ray and Moth I found this book to be too much of a patchwork. Maybe had it been written a little later, there could have been more focus on the new project and the impact of that on Moth's wellbeing. But then again, I guess Ray and Moth have to seize the moment as the future is uncertain for them. I certainly wish them the very best of fortune. If anyone deserves it, they do.

I loved her first book but I may well Have to abandon this one I’m afraid. This is personal but life is dark enough without reading sad books of sickness and death. Perhaps it cheers up but I shall have to leave it for a while until life becomes less, well, intense.

Raynor Winn returns with her follow up to the best selling The Salt Path.
Confirming that nature is the answer to Raynor and Moths' future, they take a chance on living in a Cornish farmhouse.
Approached by a reader of the Salt Path, the are offered the chance to rewild a farm and help return the land to nature.
As Moth studies for a degree, Raynor takes us through this next chapter of their lives.
The book leaves you with a respect for the importance of nature and of hope for the future.

The Salt Path has been very popular in our store, and people are keenly awaiting Raynor Winn's new book.

I haven't read the Salt Path, and was interested to try this book. It seems to stand alone well, and although it's not entirely to my taste, I can see why others have enjoyed the book.

This is the follow-up book to The Salt Path, and gives an insight into why that book was written, as well as more about the story of Raynor and Moth.
I found its lack of structure difficult, where the previous had a strong narrative, this is a series of events – the death of her mother, a trip to Iceland , finding a new home, book tours.

The descriptive writing is beautiful and lyrical, and what comes across very strongly is her love for Moth, and her total connection with the world of nature, and for these reasons, the book is highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the opportunity to read this book.

The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn
I give this book 4.5 stars.
The fantastic sequel following Ray and Moths lives after the epic Salt Path Journey.This book provides us with an insight into Rays childhood,how she met Moth,her mother and most importantly how she came to write a book! So beautifully written that it transports you to being there with them on the farm they take on and their Icelandic Walk.
A story of resilience and hope, truly moving and uplifting to read.How nature and walking helps heal the mind ,body and soul.
Highly recommended a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it
With thanks to Netgalley,the publishers and the Author for my chance to read this.

My thanks to Netgalley and to Penguin Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. The Wild Silence picks up the story of Ray and Moth where The Salt Path left them, but now Ray is able to reflect back upon key events in her past, her childhood and especially the death of her mother. She links these memories to her relationship with the natural world and moves on to explore the nature of her understanding of the degenerative illness afflicting Moth and how his relationship with the natural world is so key to his ability to cope on a day to day basis.

With the publication of the The Salt Path, their life becomes financially more stable, they find a more positive home where they can put into practice their ideas about ecology and they make a trip to Iceland, which they seem to view as possibly the final long walk of their lives together.

Throughout the book Ray uses her ideas about nature, the climate and ecological issues to drive the narrative and to make the reader think carefully about how the human race interacts with the world we inhabit. A beautifully written, passionate book which is easy to read and memorable. Passages from The Salt Path remain with the reader and change behaviours and it is to be expected that this book will do the same. This is a writer with a passionate, close and devoted relationship with the land and the animals and plants that inhabit it. Despite her misgivings, she has a lot to teach the rest of us about living simply and respectfully with nature.

When I was given the opportunity to read this, I purchased The Salt Path, the prequel to the Wild Silence and was hooked.
Ray and Moth have walked the Salt Path after losing everything. Moth has a terminal illness but they walk 630 miles of English coastline.
Now they are adjusting to a new way of life. Moth is studying for a degree and Ray is finding it difficult to settle down. She decides to write a book of the walk and a publishing company snap it up. Through this book they are offered a chance to farm again and to re-connect with nature again.
This a story of hardship but a love that rises above everything. If you were lucky to grow up in the countryside the descriptions of what Ray sees in nature will have you back to your childhood.

If you joined Raynor and Moth on the South West Coast Path and invested time and emotional energy in that journey you will be wanting to find out what happened next and that's what you will find in this book. There is also a new crisis which tests Raynor to her limits.

Raynor writes about how she decided to write the Salt Path following on that journey .

You will be glad to hear that Raynor and Moth are no longer homeless but some of the lasting effects of their experience are still with them. Raynor finds it hard to trust people and so when they are offered an opportunity that involves them giving up their accommodation in Polruan, it takes a lot for them to be able to take that leap of faith.
This opportunity involves the knowledge Moth has gained through his University studies, Raynor's experience of farming, a lot of physical hard work , discomfort and balancing this with her new found fame.

Will the crisis that Raynor experienced this time make her more or less ready to face this challenge?
I was lucky enough to speak/interview to Raynor "in conversation" as our Waterstones hosted a hugely popular event with her. Little did I know how nervous she might have been.

Like her "in conversation" I find Raynor's writing to be warm and full of honesty. She isn't afraid to look at her doubts, feelings of inadequacy and deepest fears. Also what shines through is her love for Moth which is at deep level with an almost telepathic element. Maybe this is as much a love story as any other genre?

For those craving the travel element there is an actual journey, but not within the South West area.

Once again there are the beautiful observations of nature that characterized The Salt Path. Raynor is obviously happiest when she has that connection with the land. Those who enjoyed the "nature" aspect of her previous book will find this anew.

I'm guessing that for many people though they want to continue the journey alongside Raynor and Moth and that's why they will enjoy this lyrical, heartfelt book.

The Wild Silence carries on the metaphorical journey of Ray and Moth's lives after their physical journey along The Salt Path has come to an end. It flashes back to previous adventures they have had during their lives, as well as laying out the details of how The Salt Path came to be a book in itself. It is more of a collection of different stories rather than the single journey laid out in Winn's first book, written in the same beautifully clear but poetic style.

For anyone who enjoyed The Salt Path, this is the perfect "bonus material" accompaniment. If you haven't read The Salt Path yet, go and read it now.