A Bottle in the Smoke: A Tale of Anglo-Indian Life

"A Bottle in the Smoke: A Tale of Anglo-Indian Life" by Janet Milne Rae is a narrative set in colonial India, introducing Hester Rayner, a newly married Englishwoman, as she grapples with the intricacies of Anglo-Indian society and adjusts to her new life in Madras, soon after her arrival with her husband. Central to the story are themes of identity and the clash of cultures, as Hester confronts her own sense of belonging and observes the prejudices held by some of her new acquaintances. The arrival of Mark Cheveril, a childhood friend with Indian heritage, brings these issues to the forefront, igniting tension with her husband, Alfred, and setting the stage for a conflict where she is caught between loyalty and deeply ingrained biases present in colonial society.