”The salt path”, based on a true story, was published in the United Kingdom in 2018. The book quickly climbed the bestseller lists and was praised in reviews. It is also published in Sweden with the name ”Saltstigen”.
The book is about how Raynor Winn's husband Moth receives the message that he has been affected by a fatal disease. Shortly thereafter, they lose both their home and income. Then they decide to hike England's longest hiking trail.
But according to The Observer, this is not true. The newspaper claims that Raynor Winn stole hundreds of thousands of kronor from a previous employer, lied about homelessness and the circumstances surrounding why they lost the house. Moth Winn's diagnosis is also being questioned.
Strikes back
In a statement to The Guardian says Raynor Winn that the article is "very misleading" and that they are now seeking legal help. She means that the book "describes the physical and spiritual journey that Moth and I made together, an experience that completely changed us and changed the direction of our lives. This is the true story of our journey”. The couple will not give any further comment at this time, she adds.
According to the book, the couple lost their house in Wales after investing in a company that belonged to Moth's friend. The company went bankrupt and in a subsequent lawsuit, they lost the house. But according to The Observer, the couple lost the house because they did not repay a loan. They are also said to have bought a house in France in 2007, which they still own.
Film premiere in May
The disease that Moth Wynn has had for 18 years is the rare nerve disease CBD. But medical experts are skeptical of the diagnosis. "I have never met anyone who has lived so long", says a professor to The Observer.
In May, a film adaptation of the book premiered in the United Kingdom. Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs play the roles of the couple, and Raynor Winn was a co-producer. The allegations made in The Observer concern the book and are a matter for the author, says the production company behind the film to The Guardian.
