Around India in 80 Trains

By: Monisha Rajesh

Narrated by: Monisha Rajesh

Bloomsbury presents Around India in 80 Trains, written and read by Monisha Rajesh.

'No one writes trains like Monisha Rajesh' IRVINE WELSH

‘Crackles and sparks with life like an exploding box of Diwali fireworks’ WILLIAM DALRYMPLE

‘One can only envy Monisha Rajesh as she embarks on this epic journey’ TIM PARKS

When she was a child, Monisha Rajesh’s family uprooted to Madras in the hope of making India their home, but soon returned to England with a bitter taste in their mouths. Two decades on, Monisha turns to a map of the Indian Railways and takes a page out of Jules Verne’s classic tale, embarking on an adventure around India in 80 trains, covering 40,000km – the circumference of the Earth.

Her journey takes her on toy trains, luxury trains, Mumbai’s infamous commuter trains and even a hospital on wheels. Along the way she meets a kaleidoscopic cast of characters and discovers why the railways are considered the lifeline keeping the country’s heart beating. Most of all, she hopes that these 80 train journeys will lift the veil on a country that has become a stranger to her.

'Beautifully written . . . A witty and insightful traveller's-eye view of the country from inside its rail network' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

©2012 Monisha Rajesh (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

A promising debut from a writer to watch. I am stung with jealousy, not just for the epic journey she makes rediscovering her Indian heritage on ordinary trains, luxury trains, Mumbai's packed commuter trains, even a toy train but just for the talismanic power of such a ticket: the idea that you could have one in your hand tomorrow and just go! (Giles Foden)

A great big lovely shambling train ride of a book, offering wonderful views, hilarious interludes, all sorts of dodgy characters and some very peculiar smells, all for the one ticket (Giles Coren)

Entirely Unexpected, Surprisingly Meaningful

I expected to like Around India in 80 Trains but I did not expect to be moved by it. Not only does Manisha Rajesh have a light touch with her well observed slices of life but the deft glimpses of her own life culminate in an unusually thought provoking manner. Highly recommended.