Around the World in 80 Trains: A 45,000 Mile Adventure
Monisha Rajesh's Around the World in 80 Trains, winner of the National Geographic Traveller Award for Best Travel Book and shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year, whisks readers on an exhilarating 45,000-mile adventure spanning three continents. Rajesh and her fiancé's seven-month odyssey unfolds like a series of vibrant snapshots. We feel the bone-chilling cold of Siberia and taste the rich aroma of Vietnamese coffee in Hanoi. The author's keen eye captures the essence of each locale, from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the vast, lonely expanses of the Gobi Desert.
The heart of this book lies in its characters. Rajesh introduces us to a cast of unforgettable fellow travelers: the vodka-swilling Russians sharing a midnight feast in a cramped compartment; the gentle Mongolian nomad demonstrating traditional throat singing; the retired British couple who've made the Trans-Siberian railway their second home.
Rajesh doesn't gloss over the gritty realities of long-haul train travel. She vividly recounts nights spent on rock-hard bunks, encounters with less-than-pristine facilities, and the nerve-wracking experience of nearly missing connections in foreign stations. These details lend authenticity to her tale and will resonate with seasoned travelers.
One of the book's most captivating sections chronicles the journey on the iconic Trans-Mongolian Railway, with her description of the 6,000-mile trip from Moscow to Beijing. She captures the transformation of landscapes, from birch forests to windswept steppes, and the palpable shift in cultures as the train crosses borders.
While Around the World in 80 Trains occasionally sacrifices depth for breadth, it more than makes up for it with its infectious enthusiasm for rail travel. Rajesh's warm, observant narrative will leave readers eager to book their own train adventures, ready to embrace the romance of the rails and the unexpected joys of slow travel.
“It’s a lot harder on a train to shape people’s views, we can see the countryside, we can see people doing normal things. It’s not this bright showcase of people dancing in a square, its normal life and you can see the poverty...”
Interesting Facts & Links:
Rajesh's journey was inspired by Jules Verne's classic novel Around the World in 80 Days, but she chose trains as her primary mode of transport to showcase the enduring romance and practicality of rail travel.
One of the most unique trains featured in the book is the Reunification Express in Vietnam. This train played a crucial role in reuniting the country after the Vietnam War, and Rajesh's account offers a poignant look at its historical significance.
Rajesh's journey included a ride on the Ghan, a legendary Australian train that traverses the continent from north to south. Her description of the vast, ever-changing Australian Outback as seen from the train windows is particularly memorable.
The book doesn't just cover famous routes like the Trans-Siberian Railway. Rajesh also explores lesser-known train journeys, including a hair-raising ride on Tibet's high-altitude railway, which reaches elevations of over 16,000 feet and requires oxygen to be pumped into the carriages.
For those interested in this theme, don’t miss our blog on the best books that capture the magic of train travel.
Recommendations for Those Who Like This Book
Recommendations for Those Who Like This Book
Book image links to go Amazon. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.