I read the "The ministry of time" by Kaliane Bradley in a few nights, I simply couldn't put it down. A gripping story of time travel as much as a thoughtful reflection on structural power. I adored how she elegantly broaches the subjects of colonialism, racism and sexism simply through who her characters are. The structural power relations between them drive the story as much as the romantic angle (which was also very neatly done, btw).
Kaliane Bradley's "The Ministry of Time" is a delightful surprise, a story that exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more. The premise is intriguing: a world where time refugees, displaced from their own timelines, find sanctuary in modern-day London. The Ministry of Time, tasked with managing these refugees and preventing temporal disruptions, is a fascinating concept, and Bradley's execution is superb.
The characters are the heart of this story, and Bradley's character development is exceptional. Graham, poached from his own timeline, is a standout. His awkwardness and unintentional crudeness are both cringeworthy and hilarious. I found myself chuckling at his mishaps and rooting for him as he navigated the complexities of his new reality. The relationships and romance between the characters are beautifully portrayed, with genuine warmth and humor.
The science fiction elements are light, focusing more on the human impact of time travel than on the technicalities. While …
Kaliane Bradley's "The Ministry of Time" is a delightful surprise, a story that exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more. The premise is intriguing: a world where time refugees, displaced from their own timelines, find sanctuary in modern-day London. The Ministry of Time, tasked with managing these refugees and preventing temporal disruptions, is a fascinating concept, and Bradley's execution is superb.
The characters are the heart of this story, and Bradley's character development is exceptional. Graham, poached from his own timeline, is a standout. His awkwardness and unintentional crudeness are both cringeworthy and hilarious. I found myself chuckling at his mishaps and rooting for him as he navigated the complexities of his new reality. The relationships and romance between the characters are beautifully portrayed, with genuine warmth and humor.
The science fiction elements are light, focusing more on the human impact of time travel than on the technicalities. While I would have liked to see more exploration of the time refugees' powers and the consequences of their displacement, the story's emphasis on relationships and personal growth is ultimately satisfying. The ending leaves the possibility of further adventures open, and I sincerely hope Bradley revisits this world and its characters in the future.
Overall, "The Ministry of Time" is a captivating read. Bradley's skillful storytelling, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes make this a book that will stay with me long after the final page. If you're looking for a unique and emotionally resonant story, I highly recommend giving this book a try.
–This review was drafted by A.I. (Gemini) with a fairly lengthy prompt containing my opinions. Actually, much of the review is my actual prompt. I then edited the draft and posted it. –
A love story at heart that uses time travel to illuminate a critique of empire
4 stars
This reminded me somewhat of "The Echo Wife" by Sarah Gailey in that it's science fiction turned inwards rather than outwards, focused on the individual rather than the grand sweep of history. Considering that time travel is a central part of the story, that's an interesting choice, but honestly I think it's a bit inspired, because it's a reflection of the main character's myopia regarding her place in her society and in history. A couple elements weren't inspired: there's a lack of explanations about certain characters and events and there's a twist that's probably obvious to those who pay attention to the signs of such things. Still, thought-provoking overall, and sad and sweet in equal measure.
Some of the humour was good, I was reminded of Mary from the TV show Ghosts. And there was a certain warmth and masculinity about our traveler, I enjoyed hearing his voice in my head in a sort of Churchillian growl.
That said, I didn't connect with the Bridge, and so didn't enjoy the story as much as I was expecting. I'd been looking for a Jodi Taylor or Jenny Colgan and got something a bit different.
Time travel stories usually follow the exploits of someone rocketing through time to change history. This person ponders the various time travel paradoxes or wrestles with the implications of an ever-splitting multiverse. All of which is to say that Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time is a unique look at the perils of time travel. Instead of travelers deliberately injecting themselves into history, a mysterious British Agency has used a recovered time machine to “rescue” five Britons from the past from their inevitable deaths by pulling them into a future ravaged by climate change. Our narrator is one of the few civil servants in on the secret, selected to help acclimate one of the “expats” to life in the twenty-first century...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
