Ken Jaworowski's German-language novel 'What about the Bodies' explores post-industrial decline in Pennsylvania

Ken Jaworowski's thriller 'What about the Bodies' portrays the lives of those left behind in Locksburg, Pennsylvania, following industrial collapse. The novel features characters like waitress Carla, young Reed, and musician Liz, who remain in the town after thousands departed in the 1990s when the steel mill and mine closed. These individuals face personal dramas in a setting that has become a perfect backdrop for stories of loss. Jaworowski's 2023 debut novel 'Small Town Sinns' also took place in Locksburg, depicting similar struggles of characters unable to escape their circumstances, including former addict Andy and his family. The work captures the routine of losing that defines life in this American small town, where departure to cities like Philadelphia or Atlantic City represents the only alternative to staying behind.