A twist in time

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The Ministry of Time 

Kaliane Bradley

341 pages, paperback published May 7, 2024

Somewhere in the future a woman, known as the 'Bridge' acts as guardian for people who have been propelled from the past into the future. The Bridge is tasked with looking after Commander Graham Gore, who was pulled out of a doomed expedition to the Artic led by Sir John Franklin. The Bridge has to acclimatise Gore to this new world and as they both learn from each other; they also begin to wonder just what is the motive for bringing people from the past to the future? 

You are reliant on the narrator, the person I have named as Bridge, for they are not named in the book. She is somewhat naive and never really challenges what is happening around her. She is loyal to her friends, and her family background is complex. Bridge is a well-developed character. As is Gore, who is a real historical character. The interaction between the two is humorous as they both try to understand each other.  The other supporting characters are well crafted and you empathise with them as they are forced to navigate a world not of their choosing. 

Bradley has crafted a clever story which does and does not work. The idea, the execution, the twist all work but there are some areas that I just felt needed to be teased out a bit more. Like the clash between the two opposing groups, it did not feel developed enough for me. A minor quibble for a really different take on time travel. 

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