Interview with Kerry Fog
Earlier this month at our Plas Newydd event, we had the pleasure of meeting Kerry Fog. Tattooed on her leg is a portrait of the Ladies from the original cover of Chase of the Wild Goose, designed by Vanessa Bell. Her tattoo is an emblem of the mark the Ladies have left on those who have crossed their path. Kerry owns a copy of the first edition of the book, which carries the inscription: ‘Mary Gordon to Mrs Sidney Richards – may you follow this wild goose – 12.7.36’. We are delighted to share this insightful interview with Kerry, where she discusses her relation to the Ladies and Mary Gordon, and sheds light on the meanings behind Chase of the Wild Goose.
Can you tell us a bit about who you are?
“For the last couple of years, I have been studying for a PhD in media, specialising in anthropology and the sociology of everyday life. In addition to that, I work for North Wales Police.”
What is your connection with the ladies of Langollen?
“Whilst studying for my bachelors in English Literature, I started researching into queer tales, especially looking into the societal impact that certain lesbian pulp novels had on queer communities and wider. It quickly turned into a low-key fixation for me, and I began collecting eccentric, controversial and scarce lesbian fiction. I had been doing some reading when I came across the heading of an article: “Were the Ladies of Llangollen Lesbians?”. I remember immediately stopping and re-reading it. This wasn’t because of the question but rather the fact I had always lived relatively close to Llangollen and had no idea who the Ladies of Llangollen were.”
How did you come to collect the first edition of Chase of the Wild Goose?
“Realizing that I knew nothing about the Ladies of Llangollen, I quickly made myself familiar with their lives. I bought Elizabeth Mavor’s books, The Hamwood Papers of The Ladies of Llangollen and Caroline Hamilton which gives insight into the letters written by Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby. I then moved onto the more fictitious side: Doris Grumbach’s The Ladies, These Lovers Fled Away by Morgan Graham, Sarah and Eleanor by Paddy Austin and Anna Curren’s Love, Above the Reach of Time: Two Stories of the Ladies of Llangollen. It was actually much later when I first discovered Mary Gordon’s Chase of the Wild Goose. I was lucky to find the first edition on an online second hand book store in Wrexham. At the time, it had no cover but having waited – for years, I managed to get a copy with a well-loved sleeve.”
Can you tell us about the Mary Gordon inscription?
“The inscription simply states on the top of the first page, ‘Mary Gordon to Mrs Sidney Richards – may you follow this wild goose – 12.7.36’. I wish I knew more. From what the book seller knew, Richards lived in Glascoed, which was next door to Plas Newydd.
Although the term ‘chasing a wild goose’ is generally a negative one, depicted by going after something that is ultimately wasteful and frustrating, I believe Gordan, like her novel, was being subtly optimistic. I think the inscription is Gordan nodding to the difficult task that The Ladies had in fighting for a life that was impossible for that time – and, despite the odds, they succeeded. The goose, in this sense represents the optimism in a difficult journey ahead. The inscription reminds me that the novel can hold various meanings for each reader and for the most part, they can take what they want from it. The novel is an uncanny, spiritual and thoughtful story in which the reader is taken on their own personal journey alongside The Ladies – it is an adventure of sorts – a wild goose chase.
There are different parts of the novel which stay with its readers. For me, it is Eleanor and Sarah’s’ conversation around the expression ‘noblesse oblige’ which makes me makes me pause for thought. It is the unwritten obligation of people from aristocracy to act noble and with honour. It highlighted Sarah and Eleanor’s struggle to go against social expectation but also their proud refusal to fit convention and ultimately create a life they wanted. The more I read Chase of the Wild Goose, I realise how it was carefully constructed to criticise everyday social expectations, which makes it as relevant today as when it was first released.”
When and why did you decide to get your tattoo?
“In 2022, I shown a tattoo artist in London Vanessa Bell’s cover and he managed to keep it’s true image whilst adding some artistic licence. While the Ladies of Llangollen continue to fascinate me, Mary Gordan’s writing is the reason I got the tattoo.
Gordan was a remarkable writer, who managed to create a deeply feminist piece of work celebrating nonconformity and courage. She uses snapshots of biography available to her in the lives of The Ladies to fill in the gaps with love, imagination and also, a societal commentary on what it means to be human.
Gordon deserves her own biography but her life, similar to The Ladies is shrouded in ambiguity. Albeit, what is known of Gordon is fascinating. Her two published works, Chase of the Wild Goose and Penal Discipline could not be more different on paper. However, compared, they both provide separate conversations around feminism and women’s rights. Gordon was certainly ahead of her time and remains as relevant today as ever.”
Thank you to Kerry for this wonderful interview! Have you ever loved a book so much you got a tattoo of its cover? If so, please share it with us on instagram by tagging us and using the hashtag #bookishtattoo - we would love to see it!
If you’d like to buy a copy of Chase of the Wild Goose, you can find it in our shop.
We will also be speaking at the LGBTQ+ Literature event in Cardiff the 6 of July. You can find the booking information here.
