The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

A recent memoir, THE SALT PATH by debut author Raynor Winn, is one of my favorite books of the year so far.  Set along the Southwest coast of England, THE SALT PATH chronicles the experiences of Winn and her husband, Moth, who were dealt nearly simultaneous blows of losing their home due to a poor investment and a serious health diagnosis.  I honestly think that most people would have retrenched in those circumstances, but the Winns decided to beginning walking the 630 mile South West Coast Path; they “chose to walk and seized the freedom that came with that choice.” Due to their dire financial circumstances, they camped out nearly every night, making finding a suitable piece of ground an almost daily adventure. Food, too, was often scarce and regularly featured inexpensive options like noodles. 

As a reader, part of me wanted to cheer them on and part wanted to scream at these 50-somethings to stop, get some needed health care and conform to expectations. Yet, that sense of rebellion against an unfair fate is what makes this duo’s story so appealing – Winn includes numerous perceptive comments about ageism, the passage of time, homelessness and life choices: “that step, and the next and the next and the next, was the reason and the future.  Each combe climbed out of was a victory, each day survived a reason to live through the next. Each lungful of salt scouring our memories, smoothing their edges, wearing them down. … something in me was changing season, too. I was no longer striving, fighting to change the unchangeable, not clenching in anxiety at the life we’d been unable to hold onto …. A new season had crept into me, a softer season of acceptance.”

An excerpt of this well-done memoir is available from the publisher and The Guardian has run feature articles, also. THE SALT PATH was published earlier in the UK and shortlisted for the Costa Book Award, which recognizes writing by British and Irish authors.  Past winners have included Mark Haddon, Iris Murdoch, and Paul Theroux to name just a few.

The River by Peter Heller

THE RIVER by Peter Heller is an engrossing adventure story that I read in a day.  Two college friends, Jack and Wynn, are enjoying the canoe trip (on the Maskwa River near Hudson Bay) that they have spent so long planning when things begin to go wrong. First, there’s a major forest fire that seems to be heading their way and then, there’s the two voices (a man’s and a woman’s) they hear arguing in the heavy fog.  This story has plenty of action, mystery and struggle for survival, but what makes it so special is Heller’s descriptions of the characters and of the natural beauty around them. For example, he says, “berry picking was like throwing a Frisbee around, or taking a walk up the orchard road, or jumping into the lake and then lying on the sun-warmed stones. It was an achievement-free zone which Wynn was coming to realize is where most of his joy happened.” 

Jack grew up with his Dad on a ranch in Colorado whereas Wynn’s family lives in Vermont.  Both young men are experienced wilderness instructors who love to fish, camp and simply marvel at nature; they trust each other implicitly. Yet, Jack has a more cynical, pragmatic side while “Wynn would bet all his chips on goodness. … Like the fish who had no idea what water was: Wynn swam in it.  The universe cradled him, it cradled all beings, … step back far enough and take the long view and everything would take care of itself.” Despite the danger and increasing tension, this trip allows them to reflect: “if one concentrated on one thing and then another – the good things in each moment – the fear wrapped deep in the gut seemed to unswell, like an iced bruise. Still there, but quieter.” THE RIVER received starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal and was chosen as a March LibraryReads selection.  Highly recommended.

On a related note and for a real-life wilderness adventure, complete with a “streak of serendipitous problem-solving,” see “It was just a Kayaking Trip. Until it Upended Our Lives” from The New York Times.