A short story (in English) to celebrate the extraordinary lives of two of the most remarkable swimmers in history.

In nineteenth century France the astounding Dalle twins, Anais and Collette - 'Les Soeurs de Sirene de la Seine-Maritime' (The Mermaid Sisters of the Seine Estuary) - became renowned for their unparalleled feats of swimming and diving.

Together and aged only fifteen they were the first to venture into the vast and dangerous salt-marshes where the river Seine empties into la Manche (the English Channel), bringing to the world the most expensive oysters ever served in a Parisian restaurant - 'L'Huitre des Soeurs Dalle' (the Dalle Sisters Oyster).

They were painted by a then unknown artist, Georges Seurat, and, for three years, were also the star act at the famous Grand Bain de Piscine Deligny (the 'floating' swimming pool), becoming the talk of Paris.

Theirs was a remarkable story, shamefully forgotten, yet resurrected here.

A year after beheading the magical Green Knight in a Christmas game, Sir Gawain must travel to the distant green chapel, prepared to receive the return blow. A guest of the merry Lord Bertilak, all is not as it seems as Gawain struggles to fulfil his quest (and also protect his virtue from the seductive desires of his host's beautiful wife).

Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th century poem, written originally in Middle English. The story is a Christian romance, in which a hero from the court of King Arthur undertakes a quest that tests his honour, strength and faith.

The poem is violent and comic in turns, from the horror of the Green Knight's appearance in Camelot to the sensual yet farcical attempts of Lady Bertilak to seduce him (a meticulous game of cat-and-mouse, conducted within the four posts of his bed).

Gawain's strength is in his devotion to the Virgin Mary, whose image is painted on the inside of his shield. It is she who is most often in his prayers and who saves him at the moment of his greatest temptation. It is his sensitive devotion to her and his humble loyalty to God, King Arthur and the code of chivalry that gives the story its heart.

Though flawed, Gawain conducts himself with selfless knightly courage, courtesy and honour. This is his real triumph - to do his very best, not to be perfect. He remains the most lovable of heroes.

The original poem survives in a single manuscript known as the 'Cotton Nero A.x.', which also contains three other Christian poems (Pearl, Purity and Patience). One author, known as the 'Pearl Poet' or 'Gawain Poet', is believed to have penned all four, though his (or her) name is unknown.

The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars.Western literary study flows out of eighteenth-century works by Alexander Pope, Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, Frances Burney, Denis Diderot, Johann Gottfried Herder, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and others. Experience the birth of the modern novel, or compare the development of language using dictionaries and grammar discourses. ++++The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++British LibraryT070081Anonymous. By John Chater. Only the first volume is misdated. A novel.London: printed for T. Vernor; and J. Boosey, 1733 1773]. 3v.; 12

The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding record-keeping made possible by advances in the printing press. In its determination to preserve the century of revolution, Gale initiated a revolution of its own: digitization of epic proportions to preserve these invaluable works in the largest archive of its kind. Now for the first time these high-quality digital copies of original 18th century manuscripts are available in print, making them highly accessible to libraries, undergraduate students, and independent scholars.Western literary study flows out of eighteenth-century works by Alexander Pope, Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, Frances Burney, Denis Diderot, Johann Gottfried Herder, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and others. Experience the birth of the modern novel, or compare the development of language using dictionaries and grammar discourses. ++++The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to insure edition identification: ++++British LibraryT070081Anonymous. By John Chater. Only the first volume is misdated. A novel.London: printed for T. Vernor; and J. Boosey, 1733 1773]. 3v.; 12

Documentary about American actor, singer and drag performer Harris Glenn Milstead aka 'Divine' directed by Jeffrey Schwarz. Gaining fame and notoriety through his involvement with the John Waters 'Dreamlanders' acting troupe in the late-1960s and 1970s, Divine went on to become a cult figure within the LGBT community. The film includes movie excerpts and footage of Divine's television appearances as well as rare home movies recorded by his friends and family. Schwarz also interviews some of those who worked alongside him before his death in 1988 including Mink Stole and Ricki Lake.