My Friend Dahmer

Locations
Call Number: Adult Graphic Novel / Derf, Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Backderf, Derf
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Malletts Creek Branch, Traverwood Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 1st Floor 4-week checkout	Adult Graphic Novel / Derf	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Backderf, Derf	4-week checkout	Reshelving
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Backderf, Derf	4-week checkout	On Shelf

Preface: the convoluted history of 'My friend Dahmer' -- Prologue -- pt. 1. The strange boy -- pt. 2. A secret life -- pt. 3. The Dahmer fan club -- pt. 4. Becoming the monster -- pt. 5. Fade to black -- Epilogue.
"You only think you know this story. In 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer, the most notorious serial killer since Jack the Ripper, seared himself into the American consciousness. To the public, Dahmer was a monster who committed unthinkable atrocities. To Derf Backderf, 'Jeff' was a much more complex figure: a high school friend with whom he had shared classrooms, hallways, and car rides. In [this story], a haunting and original graphic novel, writer-artist Backderf creates a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a disturbed young man struggling against the morbid urges emanating from the deep recesses of his psyche-- a shy kid, a teenage alcoholic, and a goofball who never quite fit in with his classmates. With profound insight, what emerges is a Jeffrey Dahmer that few ever really knew, and one readers will never forget."--Amazon.com.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Library Journal Review
Booklist Review
Summary / Annotation
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Jeffrey Dahmer, High Schooler submitted by Caser on March 4, 2013, 8:03am Derf Backderf's fifth graphic novel, My Friend Dahmer, is doubly haunting, for both its unintentional as well as its intentional darkness. The author is quick to blame the adults in Jeffrey Dahmer's life, mostly his mother and his teachers, that should have seen Dahmer's downward spiral and intervened during middle and high school. But the author fails to recognize his own culpability in not seeking help for his (sometime) friend, who is obviously falling into severe alcoholism, and who he also bullies and then shuns. If you want a real downer to read, this is the book for you!

Creeptastic submitted by monkk on June 19, 2013, 11:55am Well, this graphic novel stuck with me for awhile after reading. Imagine knowing, spending time with, and even taunting a future serial killer. Did you contribute in some way to the evil? Could you have done anything to stop it? Definitely an interesting read.