From the bestselling author of Around the World in 80 Trains comes a dazzling new adventure steeped in starlight and steel. Join award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh and acclaimed author Dan Richards at Stanfords as they discuss her captivating new book, Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train —a globetrotting celebration of the night train’s unique charm, mystery, and resurgence.

Step aboard as Rajesh recounts her journeys through moonlit landscapes and across continents, from the Caledonian Sleeper to the Santa Claus Express, sipping pisco sours on the Andean Explorer and watching the sunrise aboard the Silver Meteor. Blending vivid storytelling, quirky encounters, and rich cultural insight, Moonlight Express explores why these nocturnal rail adventures are once again capturing imaginations across the globe.

Expect tales of reindeer stew in Scandinavia, chance meetings in cosy compartments, and reflections on the slow-travel renaissance – all in conversation with fellow adventurer and author Dan Richards (Overnight, Outpost,).

An evening of travel, nostalgia, laughter, and literary wonder awaits. Don’t miss your chance to catch this unforgettable event and be transported—without ever leaving your seat.

All aboard for Moonlight Express – the journey begins at Stanfords.

'Nobody writes trains like Monisha Rajesh' Irvine Welsh

'A moonlit express train to travel-writing heaven. This is Monisha Rajesh's wittiest and most irresistible adventure yet' William Dalrymple

About the speakers:

Monisha Rajesh is a British journalist whose writing has appeared in Time magazine, the Financial Times and Vanity Fair. Her first book, Around India in 80 Trains, was named one of the Independent’s best books on India. Her second book, Around the World in 80 Trains, was shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book Award and won the National Geographic Traveller Award for Best Book. In 2023 she was named in Condé Nast's Women Who Travel Power List. Her new book, Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train, is published by Bloomsbury in August.

Follow @monisha_rajesh

Dan Richards is the co-author of Holloway (with Robert Macfarlane and Stanley Donwood), and the author of The Beechwood Airship Interviews, Climbing Days, Outpost and Overnight. Only After Dark, a BBC Radio 4 series about the nocturnal world, was broadcast to acclaim in 2022. Dan has written for the Guardian, Economist, Esquire and Monocle.

@Dan_Zep

The event will start promptly at 7.00pm.

Ticket Plus Book £22.00

Tickets £8

Includes glass of wine/soft drink

To keep up to date with events at Stanfords, please sign up to our newsletter.

Author talks are held in our basement which is fully accessible via a nearby lift. Please ask a member of staff who will accompany you.

Please ensure we have an up-to-date contact email address or telephone number when booking your ticket so that we can contact you with any updates.

Moonlight Express: In Conversation with Monisha Rajesh and Dan Richards