The Ministry of Time

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• The Ministry of Time blends elements of science fiction, romance, spy thriller, and historical fiction. Did you enjoy this mash-up of genres? Which elements interested you the most?
• The novel never names its narrator and protagonist. How (if at all) did this impact your engagement with her, especially as her relationship with Graham Gore and the challenges she faces within the Ministry develop?
• What other time-travel narratives have you encountered? What distinguishes The Ministry of Time’s portrayal of time travel from that of other books or movies? Is this novel fundamentally “about” time travel, or is time travel a vehicle for exploring certain psychological and emotional aspects of human experience?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences and perspectives.

• If you could travel to another time, would you? Which era would you want to visit, and why? Has reading The Ministry of Time influenced your interest in exploring other eras? Why or why not?
• In calling the time travelers “expats,” the novel draws attention to their “foreignness” in their new temporal environment.