Book Review: The Ministry of Time

Ministry of Time
by Kaliane Bradley
Review by Alex A

A best-seller for a reason, this book is thought-provoking, unusual, clever and huge fun! Similar in theme to Never Let Me Go, but with the propulsive plotting of Oryx and Crake. Combining dystopian fiction, historical fiction, romance and sci-fi, this totally unique and riveting novel has broad appeal.

Set in the not-too-distant future, the British government has discovered a method of time-travel, and to test it have brought several “expats” from the past into the present day. Each has been assigned a “bridge” to guide them through their transition. The story follows the young civil servant assigned to Commander Graham Gore – a real historical person who died in an expedition to the Arctic in 1847- as he discovers the ways in which the world has changed for the better (washing machines, Spotify) or worse (climate change). Tasked with reporting his progress to the Ministry every week, our protagonist is increasingly aware that something nefarious is afoot behind the scenes.

The increasingly close, deliciously teased-out relationship between Gore and his “bridge” is the central story of the book, around which all other small- and large-scale dramas occur. I am not usually a romance fan, but embedded in a sci-fi mystery, this was just delightful.

I can say with certainty that this will be in my top five books of the year, if not my number one!