Years back I had a wish to just get in the local compartment of a long route train and travel around without any plan. To take a break for a month from everything and live with just a backpack. Unfortunately at that time, like so many other fabulous wishes, this one too bit the dust. When I picked up Monisha Rajesh's book Around India in 80 Trains, I probably wanted to see my long back abandoned wish realized by someone else.
Monisha Rajesh, a British journalist of Indian origin, had lived in India in her childhood for a very short period with parents. They weren't comfortable with the living conditions and had returned back. After years she decides in favor of returning to take up a journey across India in 80 trains- clearly inspired by the classic adventure novel Around the World in 80 Days. She even calls her photographer travelling companion Passpertout! Just like the Passpertout in the novel there is a phase in the journey were he abandons Monisha 'Phileas Fogg' Rajesh, only to rejoin her later and finish the task on hand.
To her credit, Monisha has travelled extensively and in most of the variety of trains running in the sub-continent. From toy trains to locals to luxury coaches she has covered it all. But more than just travelling in them, she has inter-acted with passengers belonging to varied social strata, gender and professions and she then goes on to write about them in a funny yet touching way. What makes the book reach a higher level than many similar travelogues is the writer's background. Her bad experiences with living in India during her childhood has caused a cynicism to the general attitudes of Indian living. Her constant efforts to come in terms with this adds depth to the book. This is a book written with lot of honesty and good amount of wit.
On the flip side, some parts of the book seemed to be written in a rush. She doesn't write much about most of places that she visited. Of course whatever is there- temples of Karnataka, Golden Temple, Simla- are great to read. The book is more of an account of people she saw on the course of the journey. There are a few parts where her cynicism irritated me a bit. She knew what to expect when she took up this journey, then why to crib so much about insensitive beaurocracy, intrusive public, unclean surroundings...?
I would recommend Around India in 80 Trains to all who like travelling. It is a well written travelogue, honest and witty.
This sounds SO interesting. I am certain I'm going to try it... just have to add it to my next book-store-list! A lot of honesty and a good amount of wit does sound like a perfect combination. :)
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this book a couple of days ago and was lazy to write the review on Goodreads. I should just head over and write now.
ReplyDeleteAmazing at various points and dragging at some, this book manages to chug along like a real train up and down the slopes of train journey through India.
Definite must read for travel lovers :-)
The title itself draws you to the book immediately but nothing stays with you by the time you reach the end. Monica starts off on a strong note as the hardest part of selecting an intriguing topic and collection of experiences works for her but she fails miserably in articulating those experiences. Towards the end you feel like you have been reading a travel advisory for western tourists. Come on the Indian railways have much more to offer in terms of adventures/misadventures and company. Somehow there is no soul in the writing.
ReplyDelete