The Ministry of Time

The Ministry of Time follows the narrator and four other civil servants as they shepherd five time travellers through life in modern-day London.  Along the way, a sinister plot is revealed, complete with assassinations, hidden tunnels, and a motorcycle chase.

Rather than science fiction the group thought it was more fantasy fiction - Bradley had an original brain. The concept of the book was clever, inventive and thought-provoking though one had to suspend disbelief.

The book elicited a wide variety of opinions: confusing, too many characters; lost the plot half way through; nothing seemed to gel into place; got frustrated half-way through.  One member commented that, having finished the book, "At least I've read it now."  Another member thought they wouldn't like the book but a third of the way through began to enjoy it.  Another has started to re-read the book and is enjoying it more the second time around.

On a positive note, Bradley's use of similes were delightful, even magical at times, with poetic-like imagery.

One comment was that the book was 'one for the boys', though not everyone agreed.  One of the main characters was Graham Gore, a commander in the British Royal Navy presumed to have died in 1847 on a failed Arctic expedition.  A comment was made that a better knowledge of this man might have been useful.  It was also noted that Gore didn't use the archaic language of his day.

Members enjoyed the blossoming romance between Gore and Adela (the narrator) but some found the sex scenes unnecessary.

The book ended well, with most of the 'loose ends' being tied up nicely.

Review by Beryl Lishman/Dorothy Ivatt