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bkc 's review for:
The Ministry of Time
by Kaliane Bradley
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 1.75/5
I was quite disappointed by this book. I was expecting a book about time travel, but it was more about time displacement. Specifically, it was a long, historical study for about 60%, then became an erotica for about 20%, then it became a spy novel? It felt choppy, yet slowly paced, and it didn't work for me. The writing style was alright but for most of the book, I felt like I was waiting for something to happen, and it only happened in the last 20% of the book.
Furthermore, a lot of information was told, rather than shown, and it was like I was reading a transcript or fact sheet for each of the characters. I basically didn't care about what was happening at all.Too much time was spent on getting to know the main characters as they continued their normal lives and once the drama started, I was frustrated by the narrator.
I felt nothing for her except, perhaps, disdain. She was quite self-absorbed. For example, race and class were very important in this book and the narrator tried to brush over it and focus on her job. I thought she made some ridiculous choices and found it annoying that we never found out her name. The Adela reveal should have been cool, but it just made me roll my eyes.
Graham was okay for the most part, but I didn't like his Victorian mannerisms, or the way he turned on the narrator. The fact that he was based on a real person made me feel a bit uncomfortable, as if I was reading a biography without my permission. I also didn't care about his expedition chapters, but they were a great touch for those that enjoy history. The side characters felt like they were just there for certain plot points, rather than actually involved in the story, but I did like Maggie and Arthur.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. I think it's because I was expecting something else and don't generally enjoy literary fiction. I don't blame the author though - I blame the marketing!
I was quite disappointed by this book. I was expecting a book about time travel, but it was more about time displacement. Specifically, it was a long, historical study for about 60%, then became an erotica for about 20%, then it became a spy novel? It felt choppy, yet slowly paced, and it didn't work for me. The writing style was alright but for most of the book, I felt like I was waiting for something to happen, and it only happened in the last 20% of the book.
Furthermore, a lot of information was told, rather than shown, and it was like I was reading a transcript or fact sheet for each of the characters. I basically didn't care about what was happening at all.
I felt nothing for her except, perhaps, disdain. She was quite self-absorbed. For example, race and class were very important in this book and the narrator tried to brush over it and focus on her job. I thought she made some ridiculous choices and found it annoying that we never found out her name. The Adela reveal should have been cool, but it just made me roll my eyes.
Graham was okay for the most part, but I didn't like his Victorian mannerisms, or the way he turned on the narrator. The fact that he was based on a real person made me feel a bit uncomfortable, as if I was reading a biography without my permission. I also didn't care about his expedition chapters, but they were a great touch for those that enjoy history. The side characters felt like they were just there for certain plot points, rather than actually involved in the story, but I did like Maggie and Arthur.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. I think it's because I was expecting something else and don't generally enjoy literary fiction. I don't blame the author though - I blame the marketing!