"Around India in 80 Trains" by Monisha Rajesh

"Around India in 80 Trains"

Monisha Rajesh

At first glance this book is funny and witty.  It is a journey of a girl travelling across India taking 80 trains.  To begin with I must say it is indeed a very brave attempt and she has actually done it beautifully, covering all corners of the country.  The best thing is after finishing the book you get that good positive feeling that all the problems in life can be dealt with determination and faith.  I like the book for lots of things - first the journey, secondly the detailed and in-depth look into India this book provides, thirdly her resolve to just keep moving ahead.

This book gives an extensive view of the Indian railway network.  Living in India since last 40 years, I did not know many of these places can be reached by our railways.  Loads of information around the places is being touched and shared.  The author has covered tourist places as well as famous religious places irrespective of religion.  Certain trains like Indian Maharaja and its Deccan counterpart were like news to me.  I did not have any idea that they existed.  

At the same time author has talked about the traveler's own personal challenges, fights and determinations.  I must say this whole journey was a very brave effort and I wish I could travel across India just like her.  I specifically like her style of writing; it feels easy to relate to.  Her idea of calling her companion 'Passepartout' is just cool.  This book could have been entirely different- it could have been just pointers and logs of her train travels; instead this book is more like her travel through life while she is doing all these train journeys.  This books talks about her journey as a person, meeting new people, fighting with old people, trusting random people, forgiving old friends.  I specially was surprised by her 10 day vipasanna course as not many people are brave enough to complete that.  That is something I myself want to do but cant take our 10 straight days from my life.  The end of her journeys not only mark the end of certain number of Indian trains but a lot more.  On a high level this book gives a good look into the very heart of India. 

Overall rating:  3.5 out of 5

Grip Factor        : 3
Language Style  : 3.5
Engaging Plot    : 3
Characters          : 3.5
Satisfying End   : 3.5

Goodreads Review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3139409000