Robert Parry (1)

I knew Robert was a gifted historical author upon reading his first novel, Virgin and the Crab. He graciously sent me a copy of The Arrow Chest to read and review and it too me eons to get around to it. Well, I hosted a lovely event at Castle Macabre in last month, Gothic September, and The Arrow Chest read-a-long was the star of the show. I am so glad I finally got around to reading it. I feel it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on reading this wonderful book.

If you have any love for the Tudors, you will enjoy this book because Robert takes his 19th century characters and creates them at a parallel with such illustrious Tudor figures as Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Cromwell, Thomas Wyatt (the poet) and Jane Parker Boleyn. Mix this element with a genuine Gothic feel with the settings and ghosts and this book is a delight to read.

Read the rest at my blog: http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-robert-parrys-arrow-chesta....… (plus d'informations)

When I finished reading 'Virgin', I told Robert that it should be recognized by a major publisher. He responded by saying that most publishers will not touch a debut novel of over 100,000 words. 'Virgin' is close to 200,000. It's a shame because this book is one of the best historical novels I have ever read. There's no fluff in the pages of this book. Just straight historical fiction that read almost like non-fiction, but nowhere near as boring. Not that I generally think that non-fiction is boring, but some can be real yawners, if you know what I mean. What I enjoyed most about the book was that I was able to follow what was transpiring with Elizabeth directly parallel to what occurred from before Mary's (Elizabeth's sister) reign and then from the beginning until the end of Mary's reign. I enjoyed the intrigue that was involved in this plot to protect Elizabeth and to ensure that she would someday take the throne. There was a lot of breath holding on my part, even though I already knew the outcome. I liked the way Lady Jane Grey was portrayed here...more as a pawn then a willing participant in seizing the crown. Which made her end all the more tragic. Mary was not portrayed in a favorable light. She comes across as pias, petty and prudish and so full of hatred and the need for revenge for what happened to her mother that she takes religious fanaticism to a new extreme and many people die as a consequence. I'm on the fence about Mary. The character of John Dee was very interesting. I do not know much about him outside of this book, but after reading 'Virgin', I'm compelled to find out more. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it portrays my favorite historical figure in the best possible light. Elizabeth was an enigma...a skillful and powerful ruler who chose to be married to her country instead of a man. How much of what we know is true? And what do we not know? Here in this favorite quote of mine from the book, Elizabeth speaks about the mystique that surrounds her (and John Dee):

"Men say he has his darker side. And many, I know, go in fear of him. Like Us, a mystique has surrounded our friend, John Dee. It is good that this has occurred, and We shall keep it so. But really, in truth, he is a darling of a man - and no more a Crab than I might be a Virgin - though we'll say no more of that!"

I highly recommend 'Virgin and the Crab' to all historical fiction lovers and especially to all who adore Elizabeth Tudor. It's an exciting twist on Elizabeth's path to the throne. Historically compelling and deliciously suspenseful! I'm looking forward to Robert's next novel!




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I asked the author for a review copy of this book when it first came out because I liked his premise. He warned me their was romance in it - something I'm not a big fan of - but stubbornly insisted upon wanting a review copy and Parry kindly obligated. And then sadly, I sat on this book for months after starting it, not because I didn't like it, because I did, but because there was romance in it ;/ (I'm never if not illogical).

Matthew Wildish, our main character, is a poet on a mission - a mission to find love that transcends the real world. He is surrounded by women but comes to have feelings for his best friend's wife, something which gave me pause. In the meantime, he continues his career as a wigmaker. He often finds himself in amusing but tricky situations.

The middle part of the story was really when I stopped reading - there's a lot of history, which was interesting, but I struggled with the plot which I felt wasn't going anywhere and I struggled with the lack of storyline moving along. The book is shocking at times, but because of that, it helps you to keep going with the parts that feel like they are dragging.





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Let me begin by saying I have been aware of Virgin and the Crab for quite some time, maybe since its release. I think I looked at the cover, the subtitle, and thought it was a bit too much on the mystical side of things for my liking. With my hand on my heart, I apologise for having judged your book in such a way Mr Parry. And now........ BRAVO!!!!

I have read much Tudor period historical fiction, so I am familiar with the people and events. Here I felt as if new life was breathed into the story. The thing that really stands forth when reading this book, is the power of description. By the pen of (ok......keyboard) Mr Parry, we have an almost cinematic view of the time. The beginning of scenes often start out as sweeping views, then focusing in on passing sights, sounds, smells, business etc, before honing in on the true focus of the scene. I could really see these scenes in my mind, on the big screen or TV. Reminds me of the descriptions of Thomas Hardy in Tess of the d'Ubervilles. This......is the kind of descriptive prose that I woud desire to write, if I ever set myself to write a novel.

Previously, think of John Dee, and I thought of that sketch of him as old man, looking somewhat Gandalf like. But of course, old men were once young, and the choice of John Dee as the central figure is illuminating. In the Virgin and the Crab, young Mr Dee is the key member of a group sworn through good principles to protect the Princess Elizabeth, waiting for the time told in the astrology charts of better times to come. Mr Parry's selection of John Dee, amongst this group of Tudor movers and shakers, allows for personal glimpses of many people and events. He moves though the perilous times of Queen Mary's reign, not without some trouble it must be said, but his positioning in the story, and the third person narrative, gives the power to get up close and personal with the most of the central figures, glimpsing motives, personalities, hopes and fears.

A little of the mystical side of John Dee is of course covered. As a person who really doesn't get into the realm of fantasy fiction, I can say that I didn't mind it all.

Again, deepest apologies to Mr Parry for having overlooked your book many times so lightly. I made the mistake of judging a book by its cover in some regard. Not that it is a bad cover at all...... I just passed it over too lightly. This book ranks up with some of my favourite books of the period and I don't hesitate to recommend it to other Tudor readers. If Mr Parry chooses to continue the adventures of Mr Dee, after all, there is lots of fodder for new adventure through the reign of Elizabeth, I would be diving into it!… (plus d'informations)