Good Spirits Chapter 32: Nolan - Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens in Harriet’s kitchen the morning after Nolan and Harriet’s first night together. Nolan’s cat, Builín, appears, having let herself in through the open window. Harriet recognizes the cat as “Oliver,” a stray she has been feeding treats. Nolan clarifies that Builín is actually his cat and has likely been visiting Harriet for some time.

As Harriet pours coffee, the two share an intimate kiss. Harriet jokes about avoiding “eternal hellfire” from Nolan’s spirit guide, and Nolan describes hell as a corporate waiting room. When Harriet insists they must work on solving Nolan’s afterlife situation—finding his compass to resolve his unfinished business—Nolan’s mood shifts. He has hidden the compass in her supply closet, unwilling to claim it because he wants to stay with her.

Harriet suggests they “pretend” for the day, acknowledging that they cannot keep each other forever. Nolan agrees, bargaining for breakfast, lunch, and a nap. She kisses him, and he intends to make the most of every remaining moment, knowing he will eventually have to leave.

Key Events

Builín (Nolan’s cat) is discovered in Harriet’s kitchen; Harriet had been calling her “Oliver.”
Nolan and Harriet share an affectionate morning after their night together, including kisses and playful banter about the afterlife.
Harriet insists they continue searching for Nolan’s compass and resolving his unfinished business.
Nolan reveals (to himself) that he has hidden the compass in Harriet’s supply closet, deliberately avoiding it.
Nolan admits he wants to pretend he can stay, but Harriet gently reminds him they both knew this was temporary.
They negotiate a plan for the day: breakfast, lunch, a nap, and then continuing the search.

Character Development

Nolan: Experiences a deep internal conflict. He is coming alive again through his connection with Harriet but faces the cruel irony that moving on means leaving her. His decision to hide the compass shows his fear of finality and his desperate wish to remain in the present. He learns to cherish stolen moments rather than fight the inevitable.
Harriet: Demonstrates emotional maturity and selflessness. She wants Nolan to be happy, even if that happiness must happen without her. Her willingness to say goodbye—and her insistence on helping him move on—shows her growth from someone who clung to the past to someone who can let go for another’s sake.
Builín/“Oliver”: Serves as a humorous yet meaningful link between the two characters. The cat’s dual identity mirrors Nolan and Harriet’s hidden connection and the way they have been unknowingly sharing parts of their lives.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The Compass as a Symbol of Unfinished Business: The compass represents the pull toward resolution. Nolan’s choice to hide it symbolizes his desire to delay his departure and his fear of what claiming it will mean.
Pretending and Denial: Both characters briefly entertain the idea of pretending they can stay together. This motif highlights the tension between accepting reality and wishing for an impossible outcome.
Everyday Intimacy vs. Cosmic Stakes: The chapter contrasts small, domestic moments (coffee, pajamas, a cat) with the large, looming question of what happens after death. This juxtaposition underscores the preciousness of ordinary life.
Letting Go for Love: Harriet’s insistence on helping Nolan move on—even at her own expense—reinforces the theme that love sometimes means releasing the other person.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Nolan’s emotional arc. His physical and emotional intimacy with Harriet has deepened, but so has his dread of leaving her. The introduction of Builín ties his ghostly existence to a tangible, living connection from his past. The chapter sets up the central conflict of the remaining story: will Nolan find the courage to claim his compass and move on, or will he resist his own afterlife to stay with Harriet? It also deepens Harriet’s character, showing her willingness to prioritize Nolan’s happiness over her own desires.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Nolan hide the compass from Harriet? Nolan hides the compass because he believes touching it will trigger his transition to the afterlife, ending his time with Harriet. He wants to keep his unfinished business “unfinished” so he can delay their inevitable separation.

2. How does Harriet respond when Nolan suggests they “pretend” for the day? Harriet gently rejects the idea of pretending, even though she shares his wish to stay together. She reminds him they both knew from the start that his time on Earth was temporary. Instead, she proposes they spend the day enjoying each other’s company while still committing to finding his compass.

3. What does the cat Builín/“Oliver” symbolize in this chapter? The cat symbolizes the hidden connections that already existed between Nolan and Harriet before they fully acknowledged their feelings. Builín has been visiting Harriet the entire time, representing a bond that was forming beneath the surface. The cat also serves as a reminder that Nolan once had a full, living life—a life he is now being asked to reclaim.