Leon Engler in Ansbach: Botany of Madness as a Gripping Reading
Date and Time
Artist
Location
Price
About this Event
Mood
Venue Type
Leon Engler reads in Ansbach from Botany of Madness
How does the notion of what is considered normal arise? On Saturday, November 14, 2026, Leon Engler brings his debut novel Botany of Madness to the Kunsthaus R3 in Ansbach. The reading as part of the 30th LesART combines literary artistry with psychological reflection and a subsequent discussion round.
A family story between fear and realization
At the center of the novel is a young man who is haunted by a panicked fear of going insane himself. His family history resembles a genealogy of psychological burdens: the grandmother is bipolar, the grandfather was a patient at Steinhof, the mother is an alcoholic, and the father is depressed. After an eviction, the narrator is left with the remnants of his family history – a poignant image for the question of what shapes people and what allows them to break free from their past.
Literature on mental health
Engler combines autobiographical family narratives, psychological perspectives, and literary self-examination. The narrator tries to escape his origins by fleeing to New York, Paris, and Vienna. Later, he works as a psychologist in psychiatry – precisely at the place he always wanted to avoid. There, his view of his own history changes. The narrative tension arises from the contrast between illness and identity, external attributions and self-determination.
Leon Engler: Author, psychologist, and lecturer
Leon Engler, born in 1989, works as an author, psychologist, and lecturer in psychology and creative writing. He studied theater, film, media, and cultural studies as well as psychology. For his literary work, he received the 3sat Prize at the Bachmann Competition. Furthermore, Botany of Madness was nominated for the aspekte Literature Prize 2025; Engler received a scholarship from Villa Concordia and was associated with the favorite book of the Swiss book trade 2026.
Reading atmosphere in Kunsthaus R3
The Kunsthaus R3 is centrally located in the old town of Ansbach and sees itself as a vibrant place for readings, concerts, and art exhibitions. The intimate atmosphere of the cultural house provides the appropriate setting for an author encounter, where voice, language, and literary quality become immediately perceptible. Following the reading, a thematic discussion round with Prof. Dr. Mathias Zink, the chief physician of the psychiatric, psychotherapy, and psychosomatics clinic at BKH Ansbach, is planned.
Conclusion: A literary experience with social relevance
Botany of Madness plunges into a cultural discourse on mental health, family influence, and the boundaries of supposed normality. Visitors can expect a gripping reading with literary analysis and expert conversation. Those wishing to experience contemporary literature with psychological depth will find an evening of special intensity at Kunsthaus R3.
Official channels of Leon Engler:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: no official profile found
- Website: no official profile found
- Publisher: no official profile found
