The Alice Project by Satwik Gade is a witty depiction of the vicissitudes of being young. It centers around the life and connections of the eponymous character Alice and his perspectives in navigating through a ever changing, ever challenging world. Holding on to a job that he detests and the friendships of the past that seems like an echo of the good old college days, a melancholic note plays over his mind as he tries to cope the loss of the golden days with an absurd sense of humour.

Along with Nitin, Iyengar and Bakchod, Alice had constructed a little world around himself. All of them were functioning together since the college days, but adulthood threatened to part them. Life was catching up and each became involved in their own. It was time for them to let go of their carefree living and face the real world.

The novel with it's charming language and fun vibe resonated with me as I'm in my early 20s, trying to figure out the same path of stability and leaving behind the days of being nonchalant. It reminded me terribly of my hostel days during my undergraduation, a time I will cherish forever. Embedded with nostalgia and youthful ideals, The Alice Project is a relatable read for the ones who lived their best life in college.