Hermitix Give Me Your Answer, Do by Peter Marchant (Book Review)
Jul 27, 2025
Discover the whimsical world of Margaret Finlay, a 31-year-old office worker whose imaginary horse friend, Bradshaw, represents her suppressed spirit. As she navigates the loneliness of illness, Margaret's journey highlights the importance of imagination and companionship. The narrative also explores the transformative life of a veteran turned educator, illustrating the power of literature and social activism. Margaret’s humorous inventions around love reveal deeper insecurities, marking her struggle between fantasy and the reality of human connection.
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Margaret Finlay's Quiet Office Life
- Margaret Finlay is an overlooked, meek office woman who keeps to herself and follows strict routines.
- She has a dull public school voice, cycles to work, and avoids office politics completely.
Novel Explores Fantasy vs Reality
- "Give Me Your Answer, Do" is a warm, heartfelt novel about the clash between fantasy and reality.
- It merges quintessentially British atmosphere with mythological and Blakean childhood imagination.
Margaret's Oppressive Childhood
- Margaret's childhood was dominated by strict, authoritarian figures who crushed her spirit with rigid rules.
- Despite this, she secretly seizes moments of joy through nature and imaginative cunning.
