• Chapter

      Chapter III

      Chapter III Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter III begins with Gore lying in his cabin, lost in reflection about his deteriorating physical state. His mind drifts to a comment made by Stanley about “Debility,” which describes the scurvy ravaging the crew and leaving them emotionally fragile and physically incapacitated. The imagery of despair surrounding him is palpable, with men lamenting their separation from home, dealing with joint pain, and suffering from the gradual loss of their teeth. The weight of these afflictions weighs heavily…
    • Chapter

      Chapter I

      Chapter I Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter I introduces the protagonist, who is navigating an overwhelming and hostile environment, facing both physical and emotional detachment from the realities of survival. The extreme cold around him dulls his senses, creating a disorienting experience where his thoughts drift aimlessly, akin to translucent jellyfish drifting in the vast, unforgiving Arctic landscape. This internal fog mirrors his numbness to the world outside, as the biting cold gnaws at his hands and feet, yet his mind persists with a…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 9 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 9 intensifies as the protagonist finds herself at the center of an unfolding crisis. Adela urgently warns her about a mole within the Ministry, heightening the already precarious situation. Adela, who is typically poised and immaculate in her appearance, now appears disheveled, lacking her usual makeup, a sign of just how severe the situation has become. Her distress is evident, and she reveals that someone within their ranks is leaking critical information, putting both of them at risk. The…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 8 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 8 unfolds against the backdrop of an unpredictable environment, with the characters caught between intense storms and sudden waves of heat. This erratic weather mirrors the emotional turmoil the characters experience as they attempt to reclaim a sense of normalcy in their new home. They cautiously salvage possessions, holding onto what little the Ministry has allowed them to keep, yet their environment remains uncertain and constantly shifting. Meanwhile, the Ministry itself falls into a chaotic…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 7 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 7 opens with the protagonist grappling with the aftermath of an assassination attempt and the shocking revelation that the man involved might be from the future. She finds herself in a Ministry safe house, where she is left alone with her thoughts after a tense encounter with Adela, their mysterious operative. As she processes the events, her emotions become a swirling mix of fear, confusion, and vulnerability, especially as she reflects on her relationship with Graham. Their bond has always been…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 6 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 6 opens with the protagonist returning home after the New Year and noticing a distinct shift in the atmosphere of the house. Graham occasionally flashes a vague, confused smile, which hints at the pressure he’s facing as he prepares to rejoin the Royal Navy. Both he and Cardingham are undergoing specialized training to craft effective identities and backstories, which leaves the protagonist unsettled by the Ministry's intense focus on their retraining. Meanwhile, other individuals in the…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 5 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 5 opens in September with the protagonist in Pimlico, accompanied by Margaret Kemble, both of them wearing tartan scarves. The conversation flows naturally as they discuss various topics, including Margaret’s upcoming acclimatization examination, a critical challenge she is preparing for. Their banter covers subjects ranging from politics to relationships, with Margaret teasing Arthur, who has returned awkwardly from Scotland. Arthur’s flustered demeanor creates a light-hearted yet charged…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 4 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 4 unfolds during a summer marked by pivotal events that influence both the protagonist’s life and that of the expatriates. The chapter begins with a moment shared on bikes, where the protagonist’s companion reflects on the appeal of fast motorbikes, sparking a deeper, philosophical conversation about the nature of speed and the mundane reality they both face. This transition from a moment of exhilaration to the grounded nature of their everyday existence serves as a reflection on the contrast…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 3 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 3 begins with the narrator reflecting on her upbringing in a home overwhelmed by paperwork and documentation. The clutter surrounding her daily life became a defining characteristic of her family’s history, with invoices, old subscriptions, and her mother’s Cambodian passport serving as tangible pieces of evidence of their past. This environment shaped her identity, fostering a deep-seated obsession with archiving and organization. It’s this early experience that influenced her later career…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 2 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 2 opens with the narrator reflecting on their experience at the Ministry after riding the London Underground with Graham Gore, an expat from a past era. Despite his displacement, Gore adjusts surprisingly well to modern life, though he often questions contemporary concepts, such as the complexities of dating in the 21st century. His openness to the changes around him is clear, but the narrator feels their budding relationship is tainted by the emotional weight each of them carries from their…
    Note