Alfred Raquez and the French Experience of the Far East, 1898-1906

Alfred Raquez was a French writer who claimed to be a travel writer in Colonial Asia during the fin de siècle. He published thousands of pages of travel accounts that provide a unique window into the European presence in the Far East. Despite his travels and fame, he kept a secret that was not revealed until after his death in 1907.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In 1898, a man named Alfred Raquez emerged in Indochina, claiming to be a writer traveling the world in search of solace from unspeakable sorrows back home in France. He authored thousands of pages of meticulously detailed travel accounts, providing a unique glimpse into the European presence in the Far East. Raquez ventured deep into the remote Zomia region of upland Southeast Asia, a periphery inhabited by people who resided outside the official confines of state power. During his travels, he explored the vibrant nightlife of Shanghai and operated a popular cabaret in Hanoi. He also possessed amateur anthropological skills, contributing to the organization of exhibitions showcasing colonial material in Hanoi and Marseille. Raquez had the privilege of meeting individuals in the highest echelons of the Belle Époque Indochina, as well as the kings of Annam, Cambodia, Laos, and Siam. Despite his charm, exuberance, and erudition, throughout his travels and rising fame, Raquez harbored a secret that remained hidden from even his closest companions until after his death in 1907. In reality, Alfred Raquez did not exist.

This captivating tale is a must-read for students and scholars interested in colonial Southeast Asia and European colonialism in general. Raquez's fictional journey sheds light on the complexities of the period, exploring the interactions between different cultures, the impact of colonialism, and the enduring legacies of the past.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367702465