Around India in 80 Trains Paperback – December 16, 2012

I had heard of Monisha Rajesh's book "Around India in 80 Trains" at the Jaipur Literature Festival. This was last month. I was completely taken by it and had to read it. I had heard great things about it from friends, however was not willing to form my opinion before reading it. I have finally gotten around to reading it and the book and the writing left me speechless and sometimes with a strange smile on my face. When books do that to you, you know that you are with a great read. There is no other explanation and I am aware that it happens to most people. Writers who evoke these feelings need to be lauded - plenty of times if need be."Around India in 80 Trains" as the title suggests, is just that. Monisha decided one fine day to undertake these journeys. The thought occurred when she saw an ad/article on how some Indian airlines could now reach 80 cities. So she decided to explore the railroads of the country, through 80 trains with her co-passenger, whom she calls Passepartout (based on the characters in Jules Verne's book, Around the World in Eighty Days). This book is about their journeys throughout the country.One might wonder: So what is so unique about this book? There is nothing of significance. However, you are incorrect when you think that. Monisha's ties with the country are unique and the reader only can come to know of this, if he or she wants to read the book (though she is born and brought up in the UK). It is these ties that make her sometimes question what she has come to love about the country and sometimes also change her beliefs to some extent.The book is part-travelogue and part-memoir, which makes it even a better read, compared to the other travelogues. The descriptions are wry and sometimes hilariously alive. When she speaks of the people she meets, what she sees, what she breathes and what she eats, Monisha makes you a part of the scenery. You aren't just a reader then. You get involved in the book. To me, that is the highlight of any writing. The writing is clear and not complex and worked for me superbly. She speaks of religion, of habits, of customs, the way people are and how they think of things. She makes you see your country through different eyes, and for once, I was amazed and ashamed of how little I knew and there is so much to see here. That thought is still germinating and eating me away somewhere."Around India in 80 Trains" also makes you see trains differently. The different kinds present in the country and how each of them is so different from the other. As residents of the country, we do not see the charm that they possess (no matter how little at times). In fact, I do not even know how many of us would be willing to undertake such a journey. I for one am so tempted to, sure, after reading the book. It almost feels like something that needs to be done, to experience life and the wonders and sometimes mishaps (as it happened with Monisha in the book) that it has to offer. This was my last read for this month and I am so happy that I ended with this one. It was the perfect icing on the reading cake.

An adventure-packed account of 80 train journeys through India, full of unexpected events and Monisha’s well-timed wit, there’s a rarely a dull moment and one never knows what to expect next. With many ups and downs, there’s even a moment when the quest for the 80 trains is in jeopardy; the author ends on a meditative note “Everything is impermanent”).Part travel writing and part Memoir, this first-person account of the author’s travels “takes you along” on her journeys and you experience the myriad colors, sounds, smells, textures and a tapestry of diverse people she meets along the way. Monisha shares quite a few intimate events, lending the book a more personal tone. The book presents Indian trains (and traveling through India) without sugar coating and is a far cry from the glossy brochures of “Incredible India”. For readers not familiar with India, glancing at the Glossary would help since some of the words (or jokes) wouldn’t be readily evident.A striking note for me was how realistic the accounts are of the rough (even tragic) conditions in India and of its people; it can be almost jarring, especially for a visitor from the West. Many travel books spare such details. If you’re pining for “the romance of rail travel”, this may be somewhat sobering; a train trip through India is not for the faint hearted. However, go with an open mind and accept the place as it is and you may be richly rewarded. Although I enjoyed it, the editing could’ve been a bit sharper to make the book more compelling to all readers and worthy of all the pain the author went through in completing this quest for 80 trains.This book was my companion for many days; reading a few pages each night, I was kind of sad when it ended. As the author gets off the last train and bids goodbye to the Indian trains, one can’t help but feel the end of the long journey. In the author’s words- “...This was the beauty of train travel. Travelling companions come and go. Some stay for the duration of the journey, but others hop on, then hop off…We enjoy their company while they are there and we wave them off when they leave...” Perhaps a metaphor for life itself?

I picked this up when Amazon was offering free books for Kindle and was pleasantly surprised. The writer's keen eye for observation made it an engaging read. While 'Passepartout" wasn't really fleshed out very well as a character, "Anusha" was instantly recognisable! The real hero, of course, is the Indian Railways and Monisha Rajesh manages to remind us that despite the grime and chaos often associated with train journeys, they offer an old world charm that is lost to the budget airline travellers of today.

I had bought this book on Amazon nearly six months back and I am glad I waited until I was on a holiday to read this. I could really take in this book in a unhurried fashion. Ms. Rajesh has created a vivid and high contrast image of India, that me being an Indian cannot forget.The book just rolls by and is witty without insulting India (too much). Ms. Rajesh has not missed any details and has ensured that she has cut away the fat of redundant details making this one of the best books i have read in 2013.A beautiful book, intelligently written and a wonderful illustration of India (and Indian railways and Indian culture) from a very unique person's perspective.My best wishes to Monisha; I am truly jealous of you and what you have did (in a happy and fuzzy way).

Being an ardent traveller of the Indian railways, having studied in Kerala and spending 40 hours from delhi to Kannur in a train, I had thought I’ve fulfilled my quota of the Indian railways for this lifetime. But this book installs a sense of tamanche with the biggest railway network in the world.Beautiful storytelling with facts on point ! A great read !

Excelente libro para conocer mucho sobre otra cultura

I bought this after reading a review and excerpt in The Guardian, which I'd recommend to anyone considering buying this. Having travelled a couple of times on Indian trains I wanted to relive the experience and learn more about the things I haven't done. I bought it on Kindle so didn't make much use of the map at the front, but Instead tracked the journeys on Google Maps which helped me learn more about the size and breadth of India and the places I haven't yet been.The author is an established journalist and this shows in the writing. It flows well, is an easy but interesting read, and captures the imagination. It describes the humanity one would encounter anywhere in the world, but with insight into India and its people that would help anyone planning to travel there or understand some of the culture - and the food!!. There's also a warmth and sense of forgiveness and self-awareness that makes me want to read more by this author.I keep talking about it to friends so it's made a big impression. Too often I buy a book and leave it on the side for later. I'm glad I started this.

I love India and I love trains. Great read

The journey seems rather pointless. It’s well written. There’s nothing really memorable in the text or scenarios.