Retrograde by Kat Hausler – A Haunting Tale of Love, Memory, and Identity

What if you could keep the one you lost, but at the cost of your own sanity? Retrograde by Kat Hausler is a literary exploration of grief, memory, and the psychological consequences of refusing to let go. Blending emotional depth with speculative sci-fi elements, this poignant debut novel questions the nature of love and identity in an increasingly tech-driven world.

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On a warm summer day in Berlin, Helena is hit by a truck while crossing the street. She awakens to the loving face of her husband Joachim. In addition to a few broken bones, she realizes she can’t remember anything about the accident, or even the last few years leading up to it. Retrograde amnesia the doctors call it, and assure her that with time, she should regain her memory. At loose ends after another botched relationship, Joachim doesn’t intend to lie to his estranged wife, Helena. But when he realizes that she doesn’t remember their separation, he can’t bring himself to tell her. So he does what any rational man would he takes her home and pretends they were never apart. As the lies accumulate, Helena senses something isn’t quite right—that her husband is hiding something. When the outside world encroaches, Helena must face an unsettling truth and decide what the past will mean for their future. Is the past binding, or can she go back and change what went wrong in their relationship? And if given the chance, would she even want to? In her beautifully written debut novel, Kat Hausler weaves a haunting  tale of the tenuous nature of love.

Retrograde by Kat Hausler is a haunting and evocative novel that masterfully explores the complexities of love, memory, and the human condition. Set against a backdrop of loss and longing, this debut novel takes readers on an emotional journey that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

The story revolves around Sean, a young man grieving the sudden death of his fiancée, Simone. Struggling to cope with his overwhelming loss, Sean decides to participate in a groundbreaking but ethically questionable scientific experiment that offers him a chance to reconnect with Simone—by having her consciousness implanted into his own mind. This decision sets off a chain of events that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, love and obsession, life and death.

Hausler’s writing is both lyrical and precise, capturing the emotional nuances of Sean’s grief and the surreal experience of sharing his mind with Simone’s consciousness. The novel’s tone is melancholic yet poignant, reflecting the inner turmoil of a man who is willing to sacrifice everything to hold onto the woman he loves, even if it means losing himself in the process.

The exploration of memory is central to the novel’s themes. Hausler delves into the idea that memories are not static; they are fluid, subjective, and often unreliable. As Sean and Simone’s shared consciousness begins to fracture, the boundaries between past and present, real and imagined, become increasingly blurred. This narrative technique adds a layer of psychological complexity to the story, keeping readers engaged as they navigate the shifting landscape of Sean’s mind.

Retrograde also raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of technology and the limits of human connection. The novel examines the consequences of manipulating memory and consciousness, probing the moral implications of such scientific advancements. Sean’s decision to undergo the experiment is driven by love, but it also exposes the dangers of clinging to the past at the expense of the present.

The character development in Retrograde is nuanced and compelling. Sean is a deeply sympathetic protagonist, his grief palpable and his choices understandable, even as they lead him down a dark and increasingly disturbing path. Simone, though only present through Sean’s memories and the implanted consciousness, is a vivid and multifaceted character whose presence looms large over the narrative. The relationship between Sean and Simone is portrayed with emotional depth, capturing both the beauty and the fragility of love.

Hausler’s use of language is another highlight of the novel. Her prose is elegant and evocative, with descriptions that vividly bring to life the internal and external worlds of the characters. The pacing of the novel is deliberate, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the emotional and psychological layers of the story.

Retrograde is a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. It’s a story that explores the intersections of love, loss, memory, and technology in a way that feels both timely and timeless. Hausler’s debut is a powerful meditation on the lengths we go to in order to preserve our connections with those we love, even when those lengths come with unforeseen consequences.

For readers who enjoy literary fiction with a speculative twist, Retrograde offers a rich and thought-provoking experience. It’s a novel that invites introspection, challenging readers to consider the nature of memory, identity, and the choices we make in the name of love. Kat Hausler has crafted a haunting and beautifully written story that marks her as a writer to watch in the literary world.

Positives of Retrograde

• Original Premise: A fresh and thought-provoking take on love and memory.
• Strong Emotional Core: Explores grief and psychological complexity with depth and nuance.
• Beautiful Writing Style: Lyrical and poetic prose without sacrificing clarity.
• Ethical Exploration: Raises big questions about science, love, and identity without spoon-feeding answers.
• LGBTQIA+ Representation: Sensitive, layered, and naturally woven into the story.

Negatives of Retrograde

• Slow Pacing: The introspective style and deliberate structure may not appeal to fans of fast-paced thrillers.
• Narrative Ambiguity: Some readers might find the blurred lines between memory and reality confusing.
• Minimal Action: The novel focuses more on character and emotion than external conflict or drama.

Retrograde by Kat Hausler is a thoughtful and deeply moving novel that uses speculative fiction to explore the most human of emotions – grief, love, and the desire to hold onto what’s lost. With its lyrical writing, philosophical depth, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, this debut is perfect for fans of literary fiction with a sci-fi edge.

If you’re drawn to stories that examine memory and identity in innovative ways, think Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets Never Let Me Go, you’ll find much to love in Retrograde.

I received Retrograde by Kat Hausler from the publisher. This is an unbiased and honest review.

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