Is This Worth The Hype? | The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley | Reading Vlog

[@TomBrzezicki]

There was a Captain Graham Gore on the doomed Sir John Franklin Arctic Expedition, which sailed from England in 1845 and, after a few brief sightings, vanished into the Canadian Arctic, with its crew members never being seen alive again. The Franklin Expedition is the subject of Dan Simmons’ highly praised supernatural historical novel, “The Terror”, published in 2007, which was subsequently made into a television series.

[@NerdyNurseReads]

It’s such a sad story. What a horrible way for all those men to die

[@TomBrzezicki]

@@NerdyNurseReads I like to think of myself as being liberal and open-minded, but there I am in my comment above revealing my Eurocentric bias by writing the phrase "its crew members never being seen alive again" in reference to the Franklin Expedition when, in fact, they were seen alive by the Inuit people of the Arctic region whose territory they passed through. And Franklin and his men fell victim to their own Eurocentric biases by not paying attention to the diet of the Inuit, which includes raw seal meat and the skin of the beluga whale, both of which contain vitamin C and other nutrients, which would have helped the expedition ward off the scurvy and starvation that eventually claimed their lives. Too bad the book's a disappointing read. "The Ministry of Time" is such a great title it deserves a better book to go with it.

[@BookChats]

There's an author's note in the final edition and the author is writing her imagined version of that exact historical figure after she watched The Terror and became obsessed with the Franklin Expedition.

[@Secondbestday]

Just finished this and I agree with you on most points! I think one of the aspects I enjoyed was that there was diversity without making it a whole thing. Even the main character being from an immigrant, biracial background colored her personality/perspective but it wasn’t the main “message” of the book.

[@bodacioustness5054]

It felt like it was written expressly for optioning. Def not worth the hype and all over the place but not a bad story, overall. Remedially speaking. Also set up well for a sequel.

[@NerdyNurseReads]

I think you’re right! Maybe it will be better as a show?

[@bodacioustness5054]

@@NerdyNurseReads I think it would be a good show. Nothing groundbreaking, obviously, but could be kinda swoony with a good adaptation. And we were left with a cliffhanger, so, hey - multiple seasons.

[@WonkyWonko]

Would you say this is a better discussion of the refugee experience than Prophet Song

[@NerdyNurseReads]

It was more entertaining that’s for sure

[@TheWordN3rd]

Sounds like you'd also have a better experience just watching Kate & Leopold 😅

[@NerdyNurseReads]

I rewatched it the other night and it’s not great but it was fun and nostalgic.

[@Salaciousreader]

Good premise but so many plot holes it got on my nerves

[@NerdyNurseReads]

Plot holes, cliches, repetition, dull dialogue - what a shame

[@marciaalbaum2597]

I liked the book but the plot twist with her boss dragged down the book. the editor should have told her. it recovers. bit it was a fun read

[@NerdyNurseReads]

Definitely a fun read, perfect for summer or a long flight. I don’t know if it will stand the test of time though.

[@owencanread]

this video sponsored by Kate and Leopold

[@NerdyNurseReads]

Don’t call it a comeback!

[@BookChats]

I had a _very_ similar reading experience to you! I heard about this book about a month before it released and put a hold on it at my library. Then before my hold came in I saw mixed reviews from multiple reviewers I trust so then when I did pick it up, and i actually really enjoyed the first half of the book but I don't myself reading it waiting for it to fall apart. Ultimately I really liked a lot of the things around immigration, climate refugees, and climate change that were hinted at but for me in the end instead of building to one of two strong themes it was just very muddled and I couldn't figure out what Bradley actually wanted to say. And without that clarity we are leaning on the time travel and romance, both of which feel a bit derivative. But, YES. It's just a book! Anyone who wants to read it and join the discourse should but I'm not going to recommend it Then I read the author's note and finding out Gore and the Franklin Expedition were real and not afake person on the expedition or a fake expedition that's reminiscent of real ones made it feel like I had just read a published real person fic?

[@skullfullofbooks7398]

I've buckled up

[@benreadsgood]

I had a feeling this might be smoke and mirrors. I am so tempted to read it but I KNOW I will dislike it 😅 P.S. loving the fish eye lens!!

[@NerdyNurseReads]

I hit a button on my GoPro and didn’t realize I was in wide angle lol The Ministry of Time isn’t worth your time. You’re not missing anything

[@carriedude]

It’s just a book 😂

[@carriedude]

Also the perspective about who this is meant for was a great reminder. I think we often get caught up in the hype of books that aren’t really intended for the types of readers we are

[@NerdyNurseReads]

It was fine, I guess but not worth the hype

[@tinagarcia3571]

RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD, SHE DOESN'T HAVE A NAME FOR A REASON.

[@NerdyNurseReads]

No need to shout. I understand why she’s nameless but it would be a bit of dick a move to share why with anyone who hasn’t read it yet.

[@tinagarcia3571]

@@NerdyNurseReads oops didn't mean to yell.