Night Train to Varanasi showcases Sean’s ability to reflect on his lived experience, shape it into a compelling narrative, and write in such a way that the particulars of his life become universals we can all relate to. He speaks for all of us when he describes the emotional rollercoaster rides that comprise parenting, ageing, the challenges of India and life in general, and his hopes for his child.

Blending erudition, humour and paternal angst, this is a beautifully nuanced exploration of a father–daughter relationship set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most intense cultural experiences. A compelling and insightful reading experience.

‘Night Train to Varanasi wears its bristling intelligence so lightly, darting and diving from shocking history to the profound core of India’s spiritual tradition – how it took hold of the West, and even today continues to change who we are. But it’s in the tender, self-revealing way that Doyle relates to his daughter, stumbling on a path between protecting her and letting her go, that this book touches us most deeply. It’s a jewel of a book.’
Steve Biddulph, author of Raising Girls, Raising Boys and Manhood