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adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
if i could give this book 10 stars, i would. i think this is my new favorite book of all time. i genuinely don't have the words to describe it with even close to the type of justice it deserves, so i will just say: read this book, please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Slavery, Vomit
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Ministry of Time is narrated by an unnamed civil servant, who was born to a Cambodian refugee mother and a white British father. In near-future London, she's worked her way up the ranks in the Languages Department until she gets the opportunity to transfer to a new top-secret project - Britain has time travel now, and she'll be serving as a bridge to one of the so-called expats.
Her "expat" is Commander Graham Gore, who was extracted from the year 1847. A Royal Navy officer who was doomed to die anyway on Sir John Franklin's lost Arctic expedition, he's deemed a prime candidate for this experimental project - determining the impact that time-travel might have on the human physiological state.
The bridge and the expat are meant to live together for a year, with the bridge both helping the expat adjust to the 21st century and reporting on the expat's behavior to the Ministry of Time. But of course, complications arise for our narrator - disagreements with one of the other bridges, her inconvenient feelings for Graham Gore, cryptic warnings from her Ministry handler and sharp observation by the Vice Secretary for Expatriation, Adela. Among all of that, she helps Graham and his fellow expats Arthur (1918, WWI) and Maggie (1665, the bubonic plague) learn to enjoy the freedoms of modern life.
I know there are divided opinions on this book, but I have to admit I really enjoyed it. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, and I finished this over the course of three days, including staying up til 1:30 am the first night I started it because I didn't want to stop! It's weird, wacky, disturbing in places, and I ate it up. I'm not a big sci-fi person and I'm sure a hardcore science fiction fan would find plenty to take issue with - although the premise is based in time travel, the book itself is more of a character study verging towards slow-burn romance. I thought it was interesting how Bradley used the scaffolding of the Ministry of Time and interactions between people from different eras to touch on whiteness, colonization and empire, political correctness, marginalization etc. both historically and in modern (well, near-future) Britain.
Where this fell a little flat for me was at the ending. I didn't take issue with the sudden change in pacing, with a lot of action falling in the last 20% of the book - that actually felt accurate to me for the espionage, time-warfare vibes that had been building until then - and I was pleased to have anticipated a few well-foreshadowed reveals. Given that it's a time-travel story, I wasn't expecting to fully comprehend how all that was playing out, but I must have read the last few paragraphs five times just trying to wrap my head around them. I imagine the point was to leave the reader wondering, but I also wish there was something a bit more concrete I could grab onto in that moment.
Hard to say who I'd recommend this for - I think if you're looking for either strictly sci-fi or strictly romance, you're going to be disappointed. Truly the best descriptor I have for it is weird, but for me it was weird in a way that was very compelling. Be warned that there are some heavy topics, ranging from racism to starvation, which are not always handled in a way that is politically correct. If you like a story that's a little dark but a little wacky, with a lot of introspection about characters who are morally grey, maybe give this a try - it might turn out that you adore it.
Her "expat" is Commander Graham Gore, who was extracted from the year 1847. A Royal Navy officer who was doomed to die anyway on Sir John Franklin's lost Arctic expedition, he's deemed a prime candidate for this experimental project - determining the impact that time-travel might have on the human physiological state.
The bridge and the expat are meant to live together for a year, with the bridge both helping the expat adjust to the 21st century and reporting on the expat's behavior to the Ministry of Time. But of course, complications arise for our narrator - disagreements with one of the other bridges, her inconvenient feelings for Graham Gore, cryptic warnings from her Ministry handler and sharp observation by the Vice Secretary for Expatriation, Adela. Among all of that, she helps Graham and his fellow expats Arthur (1918, WWI) and Maggie (1665, the bubonic plague) learn to enjoy the freedoms of modern life.
I know there are divided opinions on this book, but I have to admit I really enjoyed it. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, and I finished this over the course of three days, including staying up til 1:30 am the first night I started it because I didn't want to stop! It's weird, wacky, disturbing in places, and I ate it up. I'm not a big sci-fi person and I'm sure a hardcore science fiction fan would find plenty to take issue with - although the premise is based in time travel, the book itself is more of a character study verging towards slow-burn romance. I thought it was interesting how Bradley used the scaffolding of the Ministry of Time and interactions between people from different eras to touch on whiteness, colonization and empire, political correctness, marginalization etc. both historically and in modern (well, near-future) Britain.
Where this fell a little flat for me was at the ending. I didn't take issue with the sudden change in pacing, with a lot of action falling in the last 20% of the book - that actually felt accurate to me for the espionage, time-warfare vibes that had been building until then - and I was pleased to have anticipated a few well-foreshadowed reveals. Given that it's a time-travel story, I wasn't expecting to fully comprehend how all that was playing out, but I must have read the last few paragraphs five times just trying to wrap my head around them. I imagine the point was to leave the reader wondering, but I also wish there was something a bit more concrete I could grab onto in that moment.
Hard to say who I'd recommend this for - I think if you're looking for either strictly sci-fi or strictly romance, you're going to be disappointed. Truly the best descriptor I have for it is weird, but for me it was weird in a way that was very compelling. Be warned that there are some heavy topics, ranging from racism to starvation, which are not always handled in a way that is politically correct. If you like a story that's a little dark but a little wacky, with a lot of introspection about characters who are morally grey, maybe give this a try - it might turn out that you adore it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Colonisation
Minor: Cannibalism
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Sexual content, Colonisation
Minor: Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Slavery, Cannibalism, Lesbophobia, War, Deportation
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Grief
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a very fun read, and a surprising companion to The Terror show on Netflix that I was not expecting. As a friend of mine said, this book is several genres in one - sci fi, romance, thriller, sort of historical fiction. The writing is beautiful, if a bit prosaic at times, and the cast of characters was fun.
If you’re into “time travel theories,” you may enjoy the explanation of how it works at the end — a new concept for me. I rather liked the conceits attached with this premise, but don’t want to mention it here as it edges on spoilers.
I would say this read is more fun and interesting than profound, which is why I hated the ending — the last two paragraphs really should have been left off, or done differently. It did not need a saccharine moral message to tie it off, but the sentiment was nice.
My biggest issue with the book is the same as with many modern novels - all the women in it are at odds with each other, except for one eccentric that gets along with everyone. Why women always have to be at each other’s throats in media is frankly just tiresome and boring, given how common it is. I would have appreciated more the balance toward more women main characters if they all didn’t immediately hate something about the other.
That said, the character definitions were one of best parts of the novel. Each character was unique, clearly defined, and consistent. Some might find them a little over done, but something about that really fit the tone of the book for me. The characters were larger than life, outside of time.
If you’re into “time travel theories,” you may enjoy the explanation of how it works at the end — a new concept for me. I rather liked the conceits attached with this premise, but don’t want to mention it here as it edges on spoilers.
I would say this read is more fun and interesting than profound, which is why I hated the ending — the last two paragraphs really should have been left off, or done differently. It did not need a saccharine moral message to tie it off, but the sentiment was nice.
My biggest issue with the book is the same as with many modern novels - all the women in it are at odds with each other, except for one eccentric that gets along with everyone. Why women always have to be at each other’s throats in media is frankly just tiresome and boring, given how common it is. I would have appreciated more the balance toward more women main characters if they all didn’t immediately hate something about the other.
That said, the character definitions were one of best parts of the novel. Each character was unique, clearly defined, and consistent. Some might find them a little over done, but something about that really fit the tone of the book for me. The characters were larger than life, outside of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Suicide
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Slavery, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While this book does have some fun stuff, especially as friendships develop, it is one of those books that’s a little bleak/cynical in outlook. The very end has a hopeful tone, which saved it for me, but the bulk was a bit harder to get through, which is why it has a slightly lower rating from me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Infidelity, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation, Pandemic/Epidemic
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved this charming romance meets adventure - less sci-fi (a good thing) than advertised and more a reflection on humanity through all ages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Xenophobia
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, War
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed the first half of this book - it read like literary sci-fi with an interesting set up and it was fascinating to see the characters get to know each other. It's a pretty slow burn with a touch of mystery in the background although the main character never really interacts with the mystery, which is a little frustrating. The author uses some really interesting descriptions and metaphors, but a few of them didn't quite make sense.
The second (or maybe the last third) part I was less interested in. It turned into a sort of action novel, which was such a tone switch, and the creative descriptions dried up here because of the action, dialogue and reveals. The first part of the novel is very introverted and then I felt it turned super extroverted and I missed the original tone. I don't think it needed all that explanation and action plot at the end. I imagined it would be some sort of literary open ended vibe, like something Margaret Atwood might do.
I did think the very last few pages were satisfying and had more of the first-half tone in it. Overall, interesting read that had some unique and entertaining writing, but went a little off the rails in that one part. I'd definitely read her next book.
The second (or maybe the last third) part I was less interested in. It turned into a sort of action novel, which was such a tone switch, and the creative descriptions dried up here because of the action, dialogue and reveals. The first part of the novel is very introverted and then I felt it turned super extroverted and I missed the original tone. I don't think it needed all that explanation and action plot at the end. I imagined it would be some sort of literary open ended vibe, like something Margaret Atwood might do.
I did think the very last few pages were satisfying and had more of the first-half tone in it. Overall, interesting read that had some unique and entertaining writing, but went a little off the rails in that one part. I'd definitely read her next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Death, Gun violence