My Friend Dahmer – Derf Backderf

Following a tragedy, there's often much speculation about how it could have been prevented — what warning signs were missed and who can be held accountable. Derf Backderf attempts to unravel these questions in “My Friend Dahmer” by focusing on his personal experiences as a classmate of Jeffrey Dahmer in working-class Ohio.

This is essentially a coming-of-age story with a chilling twist, exploring the complexities of friendship, mental health and the ways in which home life and societal factors contribute to a person’s descent into darkness.

While some may argue that Backderf provides Dahmer with undue empathy, he is simply presenting the facts as he and other classmates remembered them, supplemented with soundbites from interviews Dahmer gave later in life. 

Are there sections where you feel sorry for Dahmer? Absolutely. He had a terrible childhood and adolescence and was largely ignored by people who could’ve helped him before he spiraled — something Backderf repeats frequently. But, the author reiterates this is not about creating sympathy for the devil, rather it is trying to answer “why.”

While the graphic novel was initially intriguing, it felt a bit lacking in depth, particularly considering its length. I also began to question the necessity of Backderf telling this story. He was only a passing acquaintance of Dahmer, so the armchair psychology and hindsight observations felt a tad inflated. 

This is definitely a niche read, and it is not for the faint of heart. There are scenes of animal torture, jokes at the expense of a person with cerebral palsy and lots of drug and alcohol use. While these sections are reflective of Dahmer’s psyche, and the general counterculture of the 1970s, it’s not a particularly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

I picked this up because of Backderf's “Kent State,” which was a more harrowing and cohesive narrative. Perhaps his close personal connection to Dahmer hindered his ability to maintain objectivity, as the book ultimately feels like he still harbors a certain compassion for the man Dahmer was, rather than the monster he became. It was difficult for me to accept this.

Rating (story): 3/5 stars

Rating (narration): N/A

Format: eBook (library loan)

Dates read: August 27 – August 30, 2024

Multi-tasking: N/A