In "Bear County, Michigan," author John Counts introduces readers to a cast of characters struggling through life’s hardships in a fictional yet familiar small-town setting. The stories, shaped by his experiences as a crime reporter in Manistee, Michigan, offer a stark yet darkly humorous glimpse into the complexities of rural life.
Counts’ time as a journalist exposed him to the stark realities of crime, addiction, and economic hardship. “I was dealing with a lot of crime on a day-to-day basis, going to court, covering accidents and cases,” he recalls. “That’s where the cast of characters comes from.” But "Bear County, Michigan" is more than just crime stories; it paints a fuller picture of a community, akin to Sherwood Anderson’s "Winesburg, Ohio." “I wanted to create a whole community,” he says.
One of the book’s strongest themes is the blurred line between good and bad, where characters are often searching for something just out of reach. Counts believes this struggle is universal but has particular resonance in rural Michigan. “I think we’re all kind of looking for something. And when you’re in pain, you’re seeking something to make you feel better. A lot of the characters in the book are alcoholics or dealing with substance abuse.” Counts, who has been sober for eight years, recognizes these struggles firsthand and sees addiction as a defining issue in both rural and urban Michigan.
Despite the bleak realities of his characters’ lives, humor plays a critical role. “The way we deal with suffering is through humor,” Counts explains. “Sometimes it’s so bad that you just have to laugh at it.” This dark irony is not just a storytelling device but also reflects the way many people—including those caught in the legal system—cope with their circumstances.
Beyond the people, Bear County itself is a character in the book. Inspired by his deep connection to Northern Michigan, Counts crafted a setting that contrasts the region’s natural beauty with its residents’ struggles. “The outdoors have always been important to me,” he says. “The beauty of nature is an escape for a lot of people in these stories.”
One of the book’s most striking narratives, "The Standoff," centers on Indigenous land rights. Counts’ time covering the local tribe in Manistee influenced this story, and he approached it with care. “America is a struggle between different peoples,” he says. “What could be more punk rock than kids from the tribe trying to take back their land?”
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with John via phone:
For readers unfamiliar with Northern Michigan, Counts hopes "Bear County, Michigan" offers insight into the struggles and resilience of rural communities. “These places are mythical and magical,” he says. “There’s a realness to their struggles, but also a strangeness and beauty.”
Looking ahead, Counts is expanding one of the book’s stories, "Rich Girl Blues," into a novel and working on another book set behind the scenes of a small Midwestern newspaper—something he knows well. With these new projects, Counts continues to explore the intersection of hardship, humor, and human resilience in America’s overlooked corners.
Copies of "Bear County, Michigan" can be purchased from Northwestern University Press.
Visit the johncountsontheinternet.com to find out more about his work.
