My Lady Nicotine: A Study in Smoke

"My Lady Nicotine: A Study in Smoke" by J. M. Barrie is a late 19th-century story about a bachelor whose life is deeply intertwined with smoking, that presents a humorous yet thoughtful look at the protagonist's love for tobacco and the impact it has on his life. The narrator wrestles with his dependence on smoking, going through a period of reflection on his past experiences. He introduces an array of characters who share his smoking passion. The story follows the narrator's journey from his carefree bachelor days, where smoking was a central part of his identity, to his married life, where he learns to value a life without smoke because of his wife. It captures his inner conflict between the enticing pleasure of tobacco and the desire for a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle.