Questions About My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel

by Derf Backderf (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about My Friend Dahmer, please sign up.

Answered Questions (8)

I really disliked Derf Backderf as a person in the book and the movie, and I also think he is using Dahmer to get publicity and some sort of fame, duh. I'm happy I didn't pay for the book but borrowed it. How is it that we see this man as "normal" when he treated someone this way and then blamed the "adults" in Dahme's life for neglect? Such selfishness...Pity he got recognition at all for this, however briefly.

Tina I don't think he was using Dahmer to get publicity. The short version was published in 2002 and this version (the longer one) was published in 2012. D…moreI don't think he was using Dahmer to get publicity. The short version was published in 2002 and this version (the longer one) was published in 2012. Dahmer died in 1994 so I think if he wanted fame, he wouldn't have waited that many years to publish it. He also says in the preface that he did a lot of research for this because he wanted to make sure it was as truthful as possible (there are notes at the end of the book that explain where he got the info for each event).
Also, I don't think it was the author's responsibility to take care of Dahmer... Sure, they were school friends, but everyone has their own problems, especially in high school, and you cannot expect that a teenager will somehow know that Dahmer had really bad problems. As it was said in the preface, the adults (teachers and the parents) should have done something, but they didn't because looking the other way is easier. The author couldn't have possibly known what would happen in the near future - how could he? He probably should have said at least something to some one, but he didn't. That's just the decisions we make. A kid taking care of another kid doesn't really make sense.
The author obviously has a lot of talent and I think he realized that he had this very unique opportunity to make something truly amazing. He wanted to portray Dahmer as a real person (before he became a serial killer) and I think it worked out really well. (less)

flag

What do you think the appropriate age range is for this book? Would it be okay for a 12 year old who is really interested in serial killers? I'm her mom, and I do like to challenge her worldview with books, but she really only likes to read graphic novels. What are the parental concerns about this one, aside from the fact that he eats his boyfriends?

Flora It might be okay for the 12-year-old. Visually, there's nothing more graphically disturbing than depictions of roadkill. There are some topics that ar…moreIt might be okay for the 12-year-old. Visually, there's nothing more graphically disturbing than depictions of roadkill. There are some topics that are a bit more sensitive involving Dahmer's household atmosphere (parental neglect; divorce; his mother suffered from depression and was taking way too many drugs), 70's high school culture (drugs, alcohol, and insensitive teenage humor toward people with disabilities), and of course Dahmer's struggle with his unusual sexual preferences.

Thinking back to what I was like as a naive 12-year-old, I would have found it most difficult to process the last part, and I would have been slightly uncomfortable with the brief description of teenage hormonal lust. But there wasn't really anything that would have made me feel scarred for life.(less)

flag

Is this book about the TV show? I watched the Netflix show and thought "wow, thank god this is fiction!".

Mario As far as I know, the Netflix show was not based on this graphic novel.

There is a movie based on this graphic novel also called "My Friend Dahmer."

Jef…moreAs far as I know, the Netflix show was not based on this graphic novel.

There is a movie based on this graphic novel also called "My Friend Dahmer."

Jeffrey Dahmer WAS VERY MUCH REAL.(less)

flag

How did u like My Friend Dahmer?

Stephanie Schrenk If you are fascinated with Serial Killers in regards to psychology or the complexity of human behavior, you will love this book. Its a plus if you are…moreIf you are fascinated with Serial Killers in regards to psychology or the complexity of human behavior, you will love this book. Its a plus if you are also a graphic novel fan too.(less)

flag

Is there a sequel to this book or a book like this ?