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After reading The Salt Path, it was inevitable that I’d want to continue the journey with Raynor and Moth, and so The Wild Silence made its way onto my reading list not long after. This is the second memoir by Raynor Winn, and it picks up not long after the end of their epic 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path.
Now, you might be forgiven for thinking that with the walking behind them, there wouldn’t be quite so much to relate to in this book. But you’d be wrong – The Wild Silence is less about physical walking and more about emotional journeys, recovery, and reconnecting with nature in a different but equally powerful way.
So what’s it all about? After finishing the coast path, Raynor and Moth are no longer homeless but not exactly settled either. They’re struggling to adapt to life indoors, particularly Raynor, who finds comfort and meaning more in the natural world than within four walls. Moth’s health is still a big concern – as you may remember, he was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative disease during The Salt Path, yet he continues to defy expectations.
The first part of the book is quite introspective, looking back at Raynor’s early life on a farm, her deep connection with the land, and how that shaped her identity. It’s not always an easy read – at times raw and emotional – but it’s this honesty that makes her writing so relatable.
Raynor also describes the pressure of writing her first book and how difficult it was to relive some of the painful moments. But out of that book came something unexpected – a letter from a stranger, offering them the chance to live on and rewild a neglected farm in Cornwall. It’s here that the story picks up pace, as they throw themselves into breathing new life into the land, in much the same way as they’re trying to rebuild their own.
And just when you think they might be ready to settle, they head off on another adventure – this time trekking across Iceland. The walk is tough, unforgiving, and remote, but it reignites something in both of them. Once again, nature proves to be not only their sanctuary but their strength.
While The Wild Silence doesn’t have quite the same momentum as The Salt Path, it offers something deeper – a reflection on healing, resilience, and the long road to finding a place to call home. If you enjoyed the first book, this is a natural next step in the story.
If you’re someone who finds peace and purpose in walking or has ever had to rebuild after life throws a curveball, then this book will resonate. And while there’s less actual walking in it, the spirit of the journey is still very much alive.
