Anja Gmeinwieser in Braunschweig: Reading from We Queens
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Anja Gmeinwieser reads from "We Queens"
On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Braunschweig City Library will be the venue for a special meeting of female authors: Anja Gmeinwieser will present her widely acclaimed debut novel "We Queens" as part of the Braunschweig Literature Time. The reading begins at 7 p.m. and takes the audience right into a literary road novel about two women, a herd of pregnant cows, and a journey across Europe.
A road novel between heat, transit, and departure
Gmeinwieser's novel combines an unusual travel story with a tender love story, grotesque humor, and precise social observation. At the center are a pragmatic long-distance truck driver and a young teacher who breaks away from her previous life. Together they embark on a journey that takes them from the Piedmont Alps to the Turkish border.
Dust, summer heat, and the cramped space of the truck create a sensory backdrop for a text that tells of communication and misunderstandings. The encounter between the two women develops into a moving study of solidarity, social background, precarious working conditions, and the search for a self-determined life.
Literary quality with social depth
Anja Gmeinwieser's style is considered laconic, pointed, and at the same time infused with grotesque wit. "We Queens" connects the genre of road novels with a finely observed relationship story and a critical perspective on international animal transport. The author combines linguistic artistry with a clear view of class differences, work realities, and European border experiences.
For her debut novel, Gmeinwieser received the Literature Prize from the City of Fulda in 2026. Previously, she was on the shortlist for the Wortmeldungen sponsorship award, participated in the novel workshop at the Munich Literature House, and was a finalist at the open mike. Her reading in Braunschweig offers an opportunity to experience the rhythm of her language and the peculiar tension of this novel up close.
Braunschweig Literature Time as a literary experience
The reading takes place as part of the Braunschweig Literature Time. The festival brings current German-language literature to several venues in the city and combines readings with literary discovery, conversation, and cultural exchange. With a festival ticket, various readings can be attended; seating is unreserved.
In the city library, an intimate reading atmosphere unfolds: voices, pauses, and the accuracy of the spoken word bring the novel to the forefront. The author encounter promises a focused evening for literature enthusiasts who want to not only read contemporary novels but also experience them in their linguistic presence.
Conclusion: A journey that points far beyond Europe
Those who experience Anja Gmeinwieser live will encounter a young voice in contemporary German-language literature and a novel that combines tension, linguistic artistry, and social discourse. "We Queens" tells of two women on the road and the question of how closeness, freedom, and solidarity emerge under difficult conditions. A literary experience for all who want to discover new voices and experience literature in an immediate atmosphere.
Official channels of Anja Gmeinwieser:
- Instagram: no official profile found
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- Website: no official profile found
- Publisher: https://www.piper.de/autoren/anja-gmeinwieser-9302
