I found this to be enjoyable, but it jumped around between the genres too much for my liking.
It really irked me that the MC never gets named. It was at least bearable due to the perspective being almost entirely from her point of view, but with how much she interacts with the other characters, it drove me a little bonkers that she was never called by any name.
I'm glad that I read this still, but it's not one that I'm ever going to have an interest in revisiting.
Did not expect this to be as much fun as it turned out to be. With a heavy dose of humour and keen insight into how it’s possible to make our future better than it could be, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
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.
I enjoyed this and thought it was an inventive story. Apparently, some readers didn't like the writing, but I thought it was fine (OK, there were a lot of similes; I noticed that, but it didn't bother me). I guess I would describe it as mostly a romance, with sci fi, historical and thriller elements. Some of the romance stuff didn't completely work for me (e.g., an expat gets to the point where he's regularly using a motorbike, a cell phone and a laptop, and yet somehow he still has Victorian ideas about courting). However, the sci fi/thriller aspects kicked into higher gear in a pretty satisfying way toward the end. I liked the tie-in with the Franklin expedition and was glad to see AMC's The Terror thanked in the acknowledgments.
Time travel - if considered a genre, is a favorite of mine. (I especially enjoyed The Psychology of Time Travel and If/Then). I found this was such a cool premise, having people return from centuries past and see how they adapt to the modern world, however, it was slow going. For me it picked up a little toward the end.
