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| Author | Amitav Ghosh |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Ravi Dayal Publishers |
Publication date | 1992 |
| Publication place | India |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| ISBN | 0679727833 |
| Followed by | Dancing in Cambodia and at Large in Burma |
In an Antique Land is a 1992 book written in first-person by Indian writer Amitav Ghosh recounting his experiences in two Egyptian villages attempting to retrace accounts of an unknown Indian slave, as well as a reconstruction of the life of a 12th-century Jewish merchant in the area. It describes a variety of characters, going into great detail regarding their lives and Ghosh's interactions with them.
The book has been noted for its difficulty to categorise in traditional genres and its themes regarding postcolonialism, the possibility of synthesising cultures, and Western knowledge systems, particularly with regards to anthropology. Reception towards the book is generally positive.