Stefanie Sargnagel reads from "Opernball" and "Oktoberfest"

Book Presentation.

Stefanie Sargnagel attended the Vienna Opera Ball, and now she has plenty to share: about the rich and beautiful, about the rich but not-so-beautiful, about evening gowns and waltz dreams. This author’s perspective is sharp, yet not merciless—she’s simply too fascinated by the worlds foreign to her. So, made up, laced up, and all dressed up, she ventures onto the world’s toughest dance floor and shines a spotlight on the eerie intersection of culture, capital, and power.

The second book takes us to Munich’s Oktoberfest. Defying all warnings and laced into a dirndl, she ventures into a place that is an ordeal for many and heaven for others. This prompts reflection on the similarities between Austria and Bavaria—both the endearing and the otherwise. Above all, however, it is a comical descent into hell—a paradise of excess. People don’t just drink; they get drunk, gorge themselves, and indulge in debauchery; they stagger, vomit, and lose consciousness—all in the euphoria that this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Stefanie Sargnagel, born in 1986, studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna but spent more time at her day job in a call center. She has been a freelance writer since 2016 and has since spent more time with her tax advisor. That same year, she won the Audience Award at the Bachmann Competition, with further awards to follow. *Statusmeldungen*, *Dicht*, *Iowa*, and *Opernball* were bestsellers.

“Exquisitely written, damn funny, and enlightening” (ZEIT)

Stefanie Sargnagel, *Opernball*. A Visit to High Society, Rowohlt, 2026
Stefanie Sargnagel, Oktoberfest. A Stroll Through the Wiesn, Rowohlt, 2026