A gym becomes a magnifying glass on the present.

In “GYM”, Verena Keßler tells the story of a young woman who lands a job at MEGA GYM by making up a story and becomes increasingly entangled in a web of lies and self-promotion. With precise language and a keen sense of humor and the abysses of life, Keßler explores a world in which bodies become currency and self-optimization a social imperative.

This is about much more than just fitness: it’s about loneliness, belonging, desire, and the longing for a different, better life. Verena Keßler reads from her novel and talks about body image and identity, as well as a present in which the boundaries between private life and what is presented to the outside world are becoming increasingly blurred.

“Utterly entertaining…. This book hits you like a good techno spinning class: fast-paced, sweaty, and not a second too long across its 192 pages.” - Thore Rausch, Süddeutsche Zeitung

Featuring: Verena Keßler, author

Moderator: Dr. Sabrina Huber, literary scholar, University of Wuppertal

Supported by das Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR) – Science Year 2026