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Robert Stephen Parry
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Virgin and the Crab: Sketches, Fables and Mysteries from the Early Life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor Paperback – January 1, 2009

by Robert Parry (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 38 ratings
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12 Years, 2 Kings, 3 Queens - The Ultimate Tudor Novel
England 1550s. The brilliant young mathematician and astronomer John Dee has one overwhelming obsession: liberty. Abandoned and in danger, Elizabeth Tudor has one simple aim: survival. This is their story.Against the background of the English Reformation, and threatened by a vengeful and unforgiving queen, the mysterious brotherhood of the Rose Lodge attempts to guide the nation towards enlightenment and stability.
Here, the special alchemy of the Virgin and the Crab works its magic, growing from childhood friendship, through adolescent flirtation to mutual respect and admiration as together they prepare to sacrifice everything for the world they wish to inherit.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Createspace Independent Pub
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1441415173
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1441415172
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Parry has blended historical facts with fiction to produce anincredibly believable story. Is it "unputdownable"? - A resounding"yes"! --Claire Ridgway - The Anne Boleyn Files

"...a myriad of familiar characters fade in and out of the scenery...their characterizations are nothing short of masterful. A Reader's Respite won't hesitate to recommend this gem of a novel to you." --Michele Jacobsen - A Reader's Respite

"... one of the best historical novels I have ever read. It's an exciting twist on Elizabeth's path to the throne. Historically compelling and deliciously suspenseful!" Michelle Miller - 'Historical Fiction Connection'

"... captures and holds the imagination long after the book is finished ... the reader is transported through time as if witnessing a theatrical masterpiece (which it is!)" Claudia R. - Luxury Reading

"The descriptions of Tudor England's social life and customs are rich and well written. The story is excellent and a page turner. A book well worth reading." --Debra Spidal - 'Historical Novels Review Online'

From the Author

en-gb used throughout

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Createspace Independent Pub (January 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1441415173
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1441415172
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.56 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

About the author

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Robert Stephen Parry

Robert Stephen Parry

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Robert Stephen Parry is a UK writer of adult historical fiction, bringing you stories from a wide range of time periods - from Tudor & Elizabethan, through 18th-century Georgian, right up to the era of Victorian England and the Belle Époque. Well researched and vivid historical settings combine with unusual elements of mystery, humour and romance.

On a lighter note, he has also collaborated in 2021 with the distinguished avian writer A.Robin, Esq. in providing the illustrations for the book 'The Magnificent British Garden Robin' and, more recently, 'The Robin Almanac.'

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
38 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Smoodles
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully nuanced...
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2010
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Don't be put off by the title: "Virgin and the Crab" refers in no way to some type of venereal disease. It in fact tells the story of two remarkable Renaissance figures; the young Elizabeth Tudor and John Dee, a brilliant mathematician and astrologer (among other things) who serves her. The title refers to the astrological signs of Dee and Elizabeth, and the sly wit of the title infuses the rest of the book.

The book traces the treacherous years leading up to the accession of Elizabeth, particularly the reign of Mary I. A well-known story to Tudor enthusiasts, but Parry makes it fresh with engaging, witty prose and wonderful characterization. The joy of the book is in the detail in which less well-known Tudor characters are portrayed. The stars of the tale are a group of academics and reformers who share an idealistic dream of England's future under Elizabeth. They include several non-household names such as Elizabeth's tutor, Roger Achasm, humanist John Cheke, the more well-known William Cecil (who usually is portrayed as some sort of dour bureaucrat, but here is brought to vivid life), and even Robert Dudley. Elizabeth also makes several appearances, but the book really belongs to Dee. He is shown here as a figure of marvelous complexity; a spy, a teacher, a mystic. It is a wonderful characterization on which the whole book rests.

The book is written in present tense, giving the setting an appropriately mystical feel. The language is hypnotic at times, and sharply witty at others. Instances of humor abound, such as the Spanish ambassador's botched attempt at an English saying, or Cecil's indignant response to Dee's insinuation that he can't fight; his grandfather fought at Bosworth Field! Dee's response is priceless: "Wonderful. Do you think he could be persuaded to come with us?"

Unfortunately, the delightful detail of the book is a double-edged sword; an average Joe is probably not acquainted with the minor characters and nuances of the age which "Virgin and the Crab" is concerned with. A character chart at the beginning of the book is handy, but I got the feeling that had I not been as deeply fascinated with Tudor history as I am, I might have had trouble following along. That being said, not every book can or should have mass commercial appeal; "Virgin and the Crab" is an absolute feast for Tudorphiles, and in that respect it is a major success.
6 people found this helpful
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Miranda Good
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Inventive
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2014
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What a fabulous concoction of history and metaphysics! I have always been curious about John Dee, court astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I, but until I read this fascinating novel, had never found a work that featured him as the main character. He is normally relegated to shadowy mentions, if he is even included at all, perhaps to avoid casting Elizabeth as some kind of nut case. For many centuries, astrologers were respected members of the court and were regularly consulted for advice about all things political. Author Parry is clearly well-informed about his subject and his discussions of the nativities of the persons here and his astrological information in general is both quite accurate and most interesting. The title itself refers to the Sun signs of Elizabeth (Virgo the Virgin) and Dee (Cancer the Crab). All too often, authors who attempt to include mentions of things astrological in their books have no idea what they're talking about resulting in comical, often wrong, passages better suited to a Sunday supplement level of understanding. John Dee was an observer of planetary movements and an early creator of ephemerides - something readily bought today in any bookstore, but mostly unavailable in the years described here. Further, Parry is also informed about magical operations and writes about them as serious, rather than preposterous, ceremonies. Best of all, the author is an elegant wordsmith and the historical background itself if also accurate. The book takes place in the years following the death of Henry VIII, including the abortive attempt to put Jane Grey on the throne, and later the 5-year reign of Mary I who sent 300 people to the stake for heresy as she attempted to reinstate Catholicism as the national religion of England. These were uneasy times for the young Elizabeth and Parry's depiction of her strikes just the right note. My only complaint about the edition I read was the terrible copy proofreading which resulted in an extreme number of typographical errors - as many as 7 on one page alone. Apart from that problem, however, this is an extremely well-written and unusual take on this period in English history and is highly recommended to those who are willing to place their prejudices aside and learn about a rarely told part of Elizabeth's story.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

East End Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid and Evocative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2022
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This book manages to transport the reader into the brilliance and treachery of the Tudor court.
Above it is a story of three women.
Lady Jane Grey is the innocent and naive pawn of her family's ambition She is beaten into submission but behaves with great dignity and refuses to be cowed.
Mary Tudor is bitter and rancorous, and suddenly in a position of power, She is aware that she is eclipsed by her charming, scintillating sister and initiates a regime of intolerance and bloodshed. She is beset with illness which increases her determination to reinstate her beloved church and wipe out religious freedom.
Throughout the book there is Elizabeth, intelligent, mercurial and vigilant ,with a small group of servants and advisors she must try to be unobtrusive and uninvolved until her sister dies.
All this ground has been covered before but I found this version of events riveting.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Virgin & the Crab. It covered a period in history of which I was not really knowledgeable about - the hiatus between the death of one of England’s foremost Kings , Henry V111 and the ascension finally of his second daughter Elizabeth 1.

In between we are taken through the 6 year reign of Edward V1, followed by Lady Jane Grey’s short 9 day reign and then Mary’s bloody 5 years in power, where the protestant faith is under threat from Rome. Meanwhile Elizabeth’s life is always in jeopardy but her loyal, subjects such as Dee & Cecil, help her to manoeuvre through this turbulent period in our history.

We get a good deal of film and television about Henry V111 but I think Robert Stephen Parry’s book will make an excellent television series along the lines of The Tudors particularly if dramatised under the wing of the BBC.
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Helen is Reading
3.0 out of 5 stars Well written story but needs proofreading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2013
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I'm really interested in John Dee and I thoroughly enjoyed the story as it was very well written.

However, there were terrible errors on nearly every page. I'm not usually bothered by a few errors in a book as it's par for the course, but this was quite jarring and it stopped it from being a four star read for me. If I hadn't been so interested in the subject matter, I think I would have stopped reading.
2 people found this helpful
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Janie B
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoying this unusual book. I wanted to know more about John Dee and this explains some of his interests as well as the times he lived and worked in. A clear picture of the turmoil of the last three Tudor reigns.
2 people found this helpful
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