Golden Girl

Content Warning: This section of the guide mentions miscarriage, substance use, and addiction.

Although Vivi is the protagonist, the events that unfold in the book largely take place after her death. Nevertheless, she remains present from the “Beyond,” observing events on earth over the remainder of the summer. Hilderbrand used this circumstance of Vivi’s absence on earth but presence within the story to explore what growing up after parental loss in adulthood looks like.

The novel underlines the undeniable impact of losing a parent, even as an adult, through Vivi’s concern for her children even before they realize that she has passed away. One of the first things on her mind as she ascends is that her children still need her care. Later, when Martha grants Vivi a viewing window, she uses it to follow her children closely; she uses all three of her nudges, too, to influence their lives. As is revealed later in the book, Vivi herself has dealt with the death of a parent while she was on the cusp of adulthood. Because of this, although all three of her children are grown, Vivi recognizes that they still need her for the remaining growing up they have to do.