My Friend Dahmer

This is a compelling character study over a tragic figure. If you were like me, you had a morbid curiosity after watching the movie of the same name. A bit of research later and I was able to find this graphic novel on which the movie follows. Backderf tells a chilling story about his friendship with Jeffrey Dahmer, who later become a serial killer. Backderf focuses on the period of late middle school all the way up to Dahmer's first murder. It's an interesting perspective to have an old friend become such a monster. One can't help but feel sympathy for young Dahmer while reading. Dahmer's parents were always fighting, adults neglected him, and he never received the help he needed. This novel does not excuse Dahmer's murders at all. Yet, the novel does paint a fuller picture of the monster in the headlines. I enjoyed Backderf's extensive detailing to his sources and notes at the end. The school pictures Backderf placed added a certain macabre touch. I give this a 4/5. I highly recommend both this novel and the movie. Both present a window into Dahmer's tormented soul.

Today's read: My Friend Dahmer by John "Derf" Backderf (graphic novel) Creepy. Stomach churning. Disturbing. In this memoir/autobiography, the author reflects on his highschool "friendship" with serial killer Jeff Dahmer. Except, they weren't really friends. Dahmer was a strange boy they accepted as more a mascot, a subject of their bullying. In the book, Backderf seems to attempt to excuse his own behavior and make Dahmer into a somewhat sypathetic tragic figure. Or perhaps Backderf is seeking to bring sense to the madness of such gruesome behavior. He explores the increasing strangness and estrangement of Dahmer's years in high school leading up to his first murder, admitting that signs were there that something was very wrong and asks the important question: "where were the adults?" Why did no teacher, counselor, policeman, or parent question Dahmer's behavior, his drinking at school, his inappropriate outbursts, his being bullied, his obsession with dead things. What are we excusing and ignoring in those around us who need help? Regardless of (because of?) it's disturbing subject matter, the work has won awards, notably the Alex Award, and received nominations for the Harvey, Rueben, snd Ignatz. It is also listed by the American Library Association as on the top 10 graphic novels for teens and reluctant teen readers (2013).

I had to get this book for class but ended up really loving the graphics. The way that Dahmer is drawn in the comic shows his descent into his sick twisted mind.

A very humane look into Jeffrey Dahmer's life before he became the "Milwaukee Cannibal", before he was anyone but a troubled teen who needed guidance; Jeffrey Dahmer never had empathy, but he--like every human who has felt alone--does deserve understanding to this extent. 10/10; a very compelling, and truly Humanly Questionable read.