The Ministry of Time (novel)
| Author | Kaliane Bradley |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction, Romance |
| Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton |
Publication date | 2024 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 352 |
| ISBN | 9781668045145 |
The Ministry of Time is a 2024 debut novel by British-Cambodian writer Kaliane Bradley.[1] It was originally published by Hodder & Stoughton. The novel is a sci-fi romance about a government employee in the newly-founded Ministry of Time, taking care of one of the first time-travellers, known as "expats".
Plot
[edit]The Ministry of Time's protagonist is an unnamed civil servant (whose British-Cambodian background resembles the author's), who is hired to work at the newly formed intergovernmental Ministry of Time in London. She serves as a "bridge" to one of the first time-travellers, known as "expats". She lives with, monitors and helps adjust Graham Gore, a ship commander who would've perished in Franklin's lost expedition in the Arctic, to modernity.
Creation
[edit]Bradley conceived of the novel during the 2020 COVID pandemic, while watching the AMC series The Terror, in which Gore is a minor character. To entertain friends, she wrote vignettes for several weeks imagining Gore brushing up against modern England.[2]
Reception
[edit]It won the Readers' Favorite Science Fiction novels of 2024, as voted by Goodreads members.[3] It was chosen as a Good Morning America Book Club selection.
It was shortlisted for Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2024,[4] and longlisted for the Climate Fiction Prize 2025.[5]
Writing for Literary Review, Ed Cumming dubbed it, "the loudest debut of the year." and "a gleeful romp across genres."[6] Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Lauren LeBlanc called it a, "witty, thought-provoking romance novel."[7]
Adaptation
[edit]In February 2024, the BBC announced it had commissioned a new drama based on the novel, from Alice Birch. The six-part series will be produced by A24 for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "THE MINISTRY OF TIME". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ PUCKETT-POPE, LAUREN. "Kaliane Bradley Fell in Love With a Dead Man. The Result Is The Ministry of Time". Elle. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "The Ministry of Time". Goodreads. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ Pheby, Alex. "An instant New York Times and Sunday Times Bestseller Shortlisted for the Waterstone's Debut Fiction Prize 2024". Newcastle University. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "Explore the longlist". The Climate Fiction Prize. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Cumming, Ed. "Blast from the Past". Literary Review. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ LeBlanc, Lauren. "Time travel and surveillance state paranoia collide in a witty, thought-provoking romance novel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ "BBC enters The Ministry of Time, adapted by Alice Birch from Kaliane Bradley's debut novel". BBC. Retrieved January 10, 2025.