[UIR]⇒ [PDF] Gratis Virgin and the Crab Sketches Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor Robert Parry 9781449515713 Books

Virgin and the Crab Sketches Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor Robert Parry 9781449515713 Books

Download As PDF : Virgin and the Crab Sketches Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor Robert Parry 9781449515713 Books

Virgin and the Crab Sketches Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor Robert Parry 9781449515713 Books

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.


Tags : Virgin and the Crab: Sketches, Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor [Robert Parry] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b>12 Years, 2 Kings, 3 Queens - the Ultimate Tudor Novel</b></i><br /><br />The brilliant young mathematician and astronomer John Dee has one overwhelming obsession: liberty. Abandoned and in danger,Robert Parry,Virgin and the Crab: Sketches, Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor,CreateSpace Independent Publis,1449515711,FICTION Historical

Virgin and the Crab Sketches Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor Robert Parry 9781449515713 Books Reviews

THE VIRGIN AND THE CRAB is about an unlikely friendship between Elizabeth Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and a brilliant mathematician named John Dee, who later became the court astrologer to both Mary I and Elizabeth I. I say unlikely, because princesses did not mix easily with common folk, not to mention the fact that Elizabeth was constantly watched during most of her young life, until she ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five, in 1558.

But that does not matter, for Robert Parry weaves a wonderful tale about these two personalities and the horrifying times in which they lived, when people were being tortured and executed for their beliefs during the religious upheavals of the 1550s.

Although I enjoyed this novel, I have to say I found the writing uneven. The scenes with Elizabeth are so wonderful, that the scenes where she is absent feel flat by comparison. It doesn't help that Parry's prose style is laden down with numerous tells.Take this passage told from the POV of an unobserved Robert Dee
"I can't tonight, Rosy," Rochester groans full of regret, keeping her at arms length and with a voice that confirms how much better it would be to be placed between her warm thighs instead of outside at the mercy of the elements.
"Why, if you will not, then Master Englefield will not spurn me!" Dee hears her grumble. Pouting with her red lips, she lifts a length of blond hair from her chest and throws it back defiantly across one already-bare shoulder.
"Well, your good master Englefield is also busy tonight," Rochester answers with feigned indifference. "Anyway, what should you do with a mere boy like that!" he adds, mocking, and takes her in his arms - all soft and yielding against his thick, chilly garments. "Experience Rosy. That's what counts," he whispers with some merriment now to his voice.

This passage demonstrates the perils of overwriting, the logical problems (if Dee can only hear Rosy grumble, how come he can see her flick her hair over her shoulder?) which shade perilously close to head-hopping, the mark of an amateur. Not to mention the fact that at 492 pages, this novel could use some pruning.
What is very good is that Parry wears his learning lightly and does not allow the immense amount of research he has done to get in the way of his story. Four stars.
My Thoughts --

The story reads like a play, and written in a narrative style, as if it were presently happening.

If you are not used to this style of writing, it can throw you off a little.

But I didn't mind it at all and I think it would be really great to see this book made into a movie. I think it would be famously remembered.

In fact, when I look back on this book in the future, I will remember the different scenes in it, just as I would Romeo and Juliet, or Hamlet. It was such a unique style and I commend the author's creativity.

John Dee's character is very complex and interesting, and I like that the author really brought him to life for us. It was a promising story of the relationship between Dee and Elizabeth. Some of the scenes were truly heart warming.

I did wish that Mary had been a more likable character though. She is always portrayed in a darker light than I'd like to see her in.

Elizabeth's character was enjoyable, especially the scenes between her and Robert Dudley. I found myself not wanting those scenes to end 0)

There are so many Tudor books out there, and it is hard to find a new variation to the stories, but the author did a splendid job.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a "fresh take" on Tudor England.
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.