Landlines: The No 1 Sunday Times bestseller about a thousand-mile journey across Britain from the author of The Salt Path
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By Raynor Winn
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THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE SALT PATH AND THE WILD SILENCE
Join Raynor and Moth on their remarkable 1000-mile walk from Scotland to the South West Coast Path in this powerful account of our country’s land, and the people that make it
‘An inspirational story of love and endurance’ TELEGRAPH
‘Another heartwarming odyssey, this time on one of the wildest walks in Britain’ GUARDIAN
‘Raynor Winn has done it again. An inspiration’ ISABELLA TREE
‘A tale of remarkable resilience and nature writing at its best’ i
Some people live to walk. Raynor and Moth walk to live . . .
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Raynor knows that her husband Moth’s health is declining, getting worse by the day. She knows of only one cure: the healing power of walking.
Embarking on a journey across the Cape Wrath Trail, over 200 miles of gruelling terrain through Scotland’s remotest mountains and lochs, Raynor and Moth look to an uncertain future. Fearing that miracles don’t often repeat themselves.
But for all the physical struggle, there is healing. And so when their journey ends, they do what they know best: they keep walking . . .
Their journey began in fear. But can it end in hope?
From the glens of Scotland to the familiar shores of the South West Coast Path, this is the inspiring story of a thousand-mile journey and love letter to our land.
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‘As well as a portrait of a telepathic marriage of true minds, and a snapshot of a fretful island, this is a soaring lament and a tub-thumping tirade – for all that is being lost, for all that may yet be saved’ TELEGRAPH
‘An inspiring and beautifully written story of hope and healing . . . We, her readers, are privileged to walk alongside her’ COUNTRYFILE
‘Fans of The Salt Path will love this moving continuation of Raynor and her husband Moth’s journey . . . Alongside beautiful nature writing, there are thought-provoking observations on our countryside and the threat it is under’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
PRAISE FOR RAYNOR WINN:
‘A beautiful, thoughtful, lyrical story of homelessness, human strength and endurance’ GUARDIAN
‘An astonishing narrative’ INDEPENDENT
‘A tale of triumph: of hope over despair; of love over everything’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘The most inspirational book of this year’ THE TIMES
‘A beautiful, luminous and magical piece of writing’ RACHEL JOYCE
‘You feel the world is a better place because Raynor and Moth are in it’ THE TIMES
‘An uplifting, illuminating read’ DAILY MIRROR
‘Brilliant, powerful and touching’ STEPHEN MOSS
Reviews
St Just Thursday Evening Reading Group 6th April 2023.
Landlines. Raynor Winn.
In general this group liked Raynor Winn’s third book, preferring it at least to her second (The Wild Silence). The author seemed more positive about things, which made the book more palatable. The nature descriptions were appreciated. The couple seemed to meet nicer people than previously, used better accommodation, and took taxis occasionally – we presumed that they had more money now that these books have become best-sellers. Her discussions of climate change and sustainable agriculture were also interesting to readers.
Certain irritations were expressed with the author: her bad choice of boots despite all her experience of walking; the couple’s apparently poor diet; the neglect of Moth’s damaged finger; and their general apparent unpreparedness for everything. One reader thought that this latter issue was the result of Raynor’s feeling that the whole business of setting off for the Cape Wrath walk was a life-or-death issue – something they simply must do or else Moth would die – and that this was the reason they set off in such a hurry. Also generally remarked upon was the sense of guilt that Raynor mentions, she having initiated the walk when Moth was so unwell.
Another reader disliked the book as a whole, considering that Raynor pushed Moth into doing the walk using passive aggression, and continued pushing him to the point of recklessness, particularly when he was unwell with a bad stomach upset and little access to facilities. Several people agreed that the series of books are somewhat repetitious, detailing the same mistakes being made and the same problems. Also there was some agreement that Raynor might be quite a difficult personality. Other similar stories about long-distance walks were discussed which contrast somewhat with this one.
In the end we considered this to be a remarkable story, which contained a lot, but possibly left out a lot as well! The jacket cover, by Angela Harding, was also admired very much.
