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A review by eatingfiction
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I love time travel fiction, but I also hate it because it's so very rarely done in a way I enjoy. This book doesn't crack it.
I think the right reader will love this book. It certainly wasn't me. I don't typically like romance novels or literary fiction, both of which is what this book falls under. It's science fiction too, yes, but if you removed the sci-fi element entirely you'd have a very similar book. The time travel element is more like seasoning than an ingredient. And the romance failed in that I was not rooting for the couple at all.
The writing is easy to digest, the historical elements are fascinating, and the characters are well-developed. Granted, they're awful characters, but there is purpose to that. The ending of the book brought a few twists and revelations that gave intentionality to the writing choices. It was still painful while reading, but it made the conclusion very satisfying.
Our time travelers from the past did not entirely convince me of their supposed origins. They're pulled from their original timelines to spend the majority of page time wandering around present-day London, asking questions about modern society, and riding bikes. It's quite dull. Whenever something interesting started to develop it would cut short so our Victorian Gentleman could discover some other modern invention (sponsored by spotify).
We read from the POV of one of the workers in the Ministry of Time, who is essentially a time traveller babysitter. She's self-obsessed, bored with life and lacking in empathy. Her internal monologuing was grating at times, but mostly just boring. I think this is a me problem. I fully accept responsibility for not having the right expectations for this book. BUT I STILL HATED IT!
The very end of the book tried to end on a hopeful note. But after themes of the darkness of humanity and people in power, the inevitability of our self destruction, war and climate change, it fell flat. Every decision you make matters except it doesn't. Time is hope and sunshine and rainbows and forgiveness. The world of this book is miserable, and the positive uptick at the end felt completely ingenuine.
One day I'll read a time travel book that I like 💚
I think the right reader will love this book. It certainly wasn't me. I don't typically like romance novels or literary fiction, both of which is what this book falls under. It's science fiction too, yes, but if you removed the sci-fi element entirely you'd have a very similar book. The time travel element is more like seasoning than an ingredient. And the romance failed in that I was not rooting for the couple at all.
The writing is easy to digest, the historical elements are fascinating, and the characters are well-developed. Granted, they're awful characters, but there is purpose to that. The ending of the book brought a few twists and revelations that gave intentionality to the writing choices. It was still painful while reading, but it made the conclusion very satisfying.
Our time travelers from the past did not entirely convince me of their supposed origins. They're pulled from their original timelines to spend the majority of page time wandering around present-day London, asking questions about modern society, and riding bikes. It's quite dull. Whenever something interesting started to develop it would cut short so our Victorian Gentleman could discover some other modern invention (sponsored by spotify).
We read from the POV of one of the workers in the Ministry of Time, who is essentially a time traveller babysitter. She's self-obsessed, bored with life and lacking in empathy. Her internal monologuing was grating at times, but mostly just boring. I think this is a me problem. I fully accept responsibility for not having the right expectations for this book. BUT I STILL HATED IT!
The very end of the book tried to end on a hopeful note. But after themes of the darkness of humanity and people in power, the inevitability of our self destruction, war and climate change, it fell flat. Every decision you make matters except it doesn't. Time is hope and sunshine and rainbows and forgiveness. The world of this book is miserable, and the positive uptick at the end felt completely ingenuine.
One day I'll read a time travel book that I like 💚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Cannibalism and War