Hello Stranger: A Novel

From the Greek word for face, “prosopon,” and “agnosia,” for not knowing, prosopagnosia, or face blindness, is a neurological disorder that impairs an individual’s ability to recognize faces. Face blindness affects millions worldwide, ranging from mild difficulty recognizing familiar faces to severe impairment, where individuals cannot even recognize their reflections. There are two subtypes of prosopagnosia: developmental and acquired. Developmental prosopagnosia is present from birth, and individuals with this form of face blindness have never experienced the ability to recognize faces. This type may have genetic links and can run in families. Acquired prosopagnosia occurs after brain damage from stroke, traumatic brain injury, or degenerative diseases, affecting the occipitotemporal region, which plays a critical role in visual processing. The condition can also vary in severity. Some individuals with prosopagnosia might only have difficulty distinguishing unfamiliar faces, while others might struggle to recognize even close friends and family members. In extreme cases, individuals cannot identify their image in a mirror, leading to profound social and emotional challenges. Center got the idea for Hello, Stranger after listening to a Valentine’s episode of This American Life, which chronicles the story of a woman who fell in love with a man with face blindness.