In the quote from Penelope Fitzgerald's "The Bookshop," the author suggests that simply being part of antiquity does not automatically endow something with significant historical interest. This points to the idea that historical value goes beyond mere age and requires a deeper connection to the narratives and cultural contexts of the past.

Fitzgerald implies that many things that exist from antiquity may not captivate modern interest or relevance. If that were the case, our own time would be seen as more intriguing, showcasing a paradox about how society values and engages with its historical artifacts and legacies.