My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel in DC Public Library

Feb 07, 2018 Prince William Public Libraries rated it liked it

Shelves: suspense, psychology, adult, nonfiction, graphic-novel, biography

“My Friend Dahmer” is the graphic novel account of Jeffrey Dahmer’s downward spiral from average high school student, to alcoholic, to murderer. The material within is compiled from both author Derf Backderf’s own memories growing up with Dahmer and attending Revere High School in Ohio in the 1970s as well as interviews with Dahmer’s parents, other classmates, and a plethora of FBI documentation, interviews with Dahmer, and TV reports. Presented as a graphic novel this book offers a unique persp ...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Lauren rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, quick-reads, format-comix, biography-memoir

Pros: Relies surprisingly little on sensationalism to a new, humanizing layer to the story of Jeffrey Dahmer; fabulous artwork; easy-to-read and -follow formatting/layout (well planned and spaced panels, good balance of words, pictures, and white space), hella fast read.

Cons: A bit repetitive at times (OK, I get it, your group of friends created a little lexicon based on "Dahmer-isms." You often said things like "Baaaaah" to one another.) Also, I felt like the story of the author's interactions ...more

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May 05, 2016 Tracy rated it really liked it

I saw it on a cart at work and read the end. I guess I am fascinated by the morbid. It was Dahmer's story when he was in high school and it gives you more background into his past. You find a little bit about why he is the was he is. And people kinda shat on him and that was sad. I mean blacking his face out of a yearbook photo (they put the actual photo in the book) was super sad.

Sure, he could have been more outgoing but as I read more, what can you do with a messed up home life and just a bad ...more

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Jun 11, 2013 Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoirs, graphic-novel

I saw this at the comic book store & immediately checked it out from the library. Primarily due to the glowing recommendations on the back as one of 2012 best graphic novels. It was an account based on the memory of self obsessed teens and their perspectives on the world around them (and verified whenever possible through FBI & newspaper reports from interviews with Dahmer & his family & others).

A tragic view into the teenage years of Jeff dahmer which was further made emotional through the illu ...more

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Dec 06, 2013 Whitney Rachel rated it it was ok

I both enjoyed and disliked this book. At some points I felt like Backderf is blatantly exploiting his friendship (if you can even call it that) with Dahmer for entirely selfish reasons. At other points, I felt like Backderf gaves us a glimpse of young Dahmer who was crying out for help and just not getting the attention he needed and deserved. All in all, I'd say....if you're into learning more about Dahmer, think of this as supplemental reading. If you're not into Dahmer, it's a fun read. ...more

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