Summary
The Ministry of Time is an acclaimed genre-bending work of fiction marking the debut of British-Cambodian author Kaliane Bradley. Set in a near-future London, the novel follows an unnamed civil servant who becomes a “bridge” for a time traveler from the 19th century. Commander Graham Gore, rescued from an ill-fated Arctic expedition, must navigate the complexities of modern life under the watchful eye of the protagonist. As their relationship evolves, the past and present collide in unexpected ways. Blending elements of espionage and workplace comedy with time travel and romance, this imaginative yet poignant story explores the potential of love to reshape history.
Released in 2024, The Ministry of Time was widely lauded for its originality and humor. Quickly rising to prominence, it was selected for the Good Morning America Book Club and became a New York Times bestseller. The novel has already led to an adaptation, with the BBC announcing a six-part drama series to be produced by A24.
Plot
In the near future, a government agency called the Ministry of Time is established to explore the feasibility of time travel. The story follows an unnamed civil servant who is hired as a “bridge” to assist and monitor a time traveler, or “expat,” from the past. Her assignment is Commander Graham Gore, a historical figure who was believed to have died during Sir John Franklin's ill-fated 1845 Arctic expedition.
The protagonist's role involves living with Commander Gore and helping him acclimate to modern life. Initially bewildered by concepts like washing machines, Spotify, and the fall of the British Empire, Gore gradually adjusts to his new surroundings. He develops a smoking habit and bonds with other expats from various time periods who are also part of the Ministry's project.
Over the course of a year, what begins as an awkward living arrangement between the bridge and Gore evolves into a deeper connection. Despite the vast differences in their backgrounds and time periods, the protagonist finds herself falling in love with the commander. This unexpected romantic development complicates her professional duties and raises questions about the nature of their relationship.
As the true purpose of the Ministry's project comes to light, the protagonist is forced to confront the implications of her feelings for Gore. She must grapple with the potential consequences of their relationship and decide whether her actions can or should alter the course of history. The story explores the intersection of personal desires and professional responsibilities within the context of time travel and its effects on the fabric of space-time.
Themes
Time travel and its implications
Love transcending historical boundaries
Clash of historical and modern perspectives
Power dynamics in government institutions
Personal growth and adaptation
Ethical dilemmas in scientific experimentation
Impact of individual choices on the future
Setting
The Ministry of Time is set in a near-future version of London, where the British government has established a secret department dedicated to exploring the possibilities of time travel. This futuristic setting blends familiar elements of modern urban life with speculative technology, creating a world that feels at once recognizable and fantastical.
At the heart of the story is the Ministry itself, likely housed in a nondescript government building that conceals its extraordinary purpose. Within its walls, “expats” from various historical periods coexist with contemporary civil servants, creating a unique microcosm where past and present collide. The protagonist's living quarters, shared with a 19th-century naval officer, serve as a key location where much of the story's intimate drama unfolds.
Beyond the confines of the Ministry and the protagonist's home, the novel offers glimpses of a London grappling with technological advancements and societal changes. This backdrop provides a stark contrast to the historical perspectives of the time-displaced characters, highlighting themes of progress, cultural shifts, and the enduring nature of human connections across centuries.
Characters
Unnamed Protagonist/Bridge: A British-Cambodian civil servant hired by the Ministry of Time. She serves as a “bridge” for Commander Graham Gore, helping him adjust to modern life. Initially viewing their relationship as an uncomfortable roommate situation, she eventually falls in love with Gore. Her choices and actions ultimately have significant consequences for the Ministry's project and her own future.
Commander Graham Gore (1847): A naval officer from the 19th century, rescued from Sir John Franklin's doomed Arctic expedition. Gore is brought to the present day as part of the Ministry's time travel experiment. He adapts to modern life with curiosity and charm, developing a close relationship with his “bridge.” Gore's presence in the present challenges historical records and raises questions about the nature of time and fate.
Other Expats: Time travelers from various historical periods brought to the present by the Ministry of Time. They form a supportive and chaotic community, helping each other adjust to modern life while participating in the Ministry's experiments.
Ministry Officials: Unnamed government employees who oversee the time travel project. They are responsible for the recruitment of bridges and the management of expats, as well as determining the true purpose and consequences of their experiments.
Quick facts
Kaliane Bradley came up with the idea for a story about time travel during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic while watching the TV series The Terror.
Bradley initially wrote vignettes about “expats” from other eras to entertain friends before developing the concept into a full novel.
The Ministry of Time blends multiple genres including time travel, romance, spy thriller, and workplace comedy.
The protagonist is an unnamed British-Cambodian civil servant, with a background similar to the author.
One of the main characters, Graham Gore, is based on a real historical figure from Franklin's lost Arctic expedition.
The Ministry of Time became a New York Times bestseller.
The novel was selected for the Good Morning America Book Club.
The Ministry of Time was named the Readers' Favorite Science Fiction novel of 2024 on Goodreads.
The novel was shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize in 2024 and longlisted for the Climate Fiction Prize in 2025.
The BBC commissioned a six-part TV adaptation to be produced by A24.
About the Author
Kaliane Bradley is a British-Cambodian writer whose work often explores themes of identity, history, and contemporary British society. In 2024, she published her debut novel, The Ministry of Time. Inspired by her fascination with historical polar exploration, particularly the 1845 Franklin Expedition, the novel blends time travel, romance, and a critical examination of British imperialism. The book's success led to translations in 13 territories and a highly competitive auction for the screen rights. The BBC has commissioned a six-part limited series, written by Alice Birch.
Born in Walthamstow to a British father and Cambodian Khmer mother, Bradley grew up in East London before moving to Essex. She studied English literature at University College London and began her career at Granta magazine in 2012, eventually becoming a commissioning editor. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in various publications, including Catapult, Electric Literature, and Extra Teeth. Shewon both the 2022 Harper's Bazaar Short Story Prize and the V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize.
Beyond writing fiction, Bradley has worked as a theatre and dance critic, contributing reviews and interviews to publications such as Exeunt Magazine, Time Out London, and The Guardian. She has also edited collections, including On Anxiety: An Anthology in 2018. As of 2024, Bradley lives in East London with her partner and is developing her next novel.
