Introducing my whirlwind tour of Gone with the Wind, a novel so bulky it could double as a doorstop - but don’t let that scare you off. Beneath the swirling hoop skirts and endless Southern soirées lies a tale of survival that’s as gritty as it is glamorous. In this post, I’m trading the romance for reality, the corsets for courage, and diving headfirst into what it really takes to survive - not just in the 1860s, but in any world that refuses to go easy on you. Buckle up: it’s going to be fiery, complicated, and entirely unforgettable.

Back in November 2024, I was lucky enough to interview the internationally-renowned artist Jason de Claires Taylor following the unveiling of his latest sculpture in Canterbury’s River Stour. Many thanks to Dr. Carolyn Oulton for all of the support on this.