Author Kailene Bradley discusses her book 'The Ministry of Time,' merging time travel and colonization. The podcast delves into themes of imperialism, romance, immigration, and complex relationships with historical figures brought to the 21st century.
Exploring the challenges of historical periods through time travel narrative.
Depicting themes of identity, assimilation, and inherited trauma in 'The Ministry of Time.'
Discussing redemption, challenging historical narratives, and the complexities of representation.
Deep dives
Exploring Different Time Periods
The discussion in the podcast delves into imagining living in various eras outside of the present time, contemplating the challenges and hardships that existed in historical periods. The hosts share a conversation about the potential risks and difficulties faced in different time periods, highlighting the disparities and dangers associated with past eras.
Novel on Time Travel and Immigration
The podcast features a book titled 'The Ministry of Time,' a unique exploration of time travel as a narrative on immigration. The novel follows a British Cambodian character navigating through time and history, depicting themes of identity, assimilation, and inherited trauma. Through the protagonist's encounters with a Victorian polar explorer, the story delves into the complexities of history as a living narrative.
Redemption and Change
The concept of redemption and change is a central theme discussed in the podcast. The conversation reflects on the possibility of individuals, including colonizers, acknowledging their roles in history and working towards redemption. The narrative explores the idea of challenging dominant historical narratives and resisting predetermined interpretations of the past.
Navigating Representation and Identity
The podcast delves into the complexities of representation and identity, particularly in the context of being a poster child for multicultural Britain. It examines the challenges faced by characters who are expected to embody diverse cultural backgrounds while confronting microaggressions and historical legacies. The discussion highlights the nuanced layers of identity and representation within the narrative.
Challenging Historical Narratives
The podcast conversation emphasizes the dynamic nature of history and challenges conventional beliefs about fixed historical accounts. By discussing the malleability of history and encouraging a critical examination of past events, the narrative promotes the idea of questioning established narratives and fostering a potential for change and growth in understanding history.
This week Code Switch digs into The Ministry of Time, a new book that author Kailene Bradley describes as a "romance about imperialism." It focuses on real-life Victorian explorer Graham Gore, who died on a doomed Arctic expedition in 1847. But in this novel, time travel is possible and Gore is brought to the 21st century where he's confronted with the fact that everyone he's ever known is dead, that the British Empire has collapsed, and that perhaps he was a colonizer.
