My Friend Dahmer

Backderf, D. (2012). My friend Dahmer: a graphic novel. New York: Abrams.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/zO4KWpIwnrk

This is a story about a boy that no one noticed but the bullies. He was a lonely kid with limited social skills and therefore, had no friends. As a junior high student he did weird things such as kill animals store them in acid and keep them in a shed located in his parents back yard. In one occasion he goes on a fishing trip with a friend and catches a fish but instead of throwing it back Dahmer chops into pieces with a knife. His parents were distant and combative. His mother suffered from neurotic episodes and ended up in a divorce. Dahmer realized he was a homosexual but couldn't talk about it. During his high school years he gathered more attention as the class clown. He faked epileptic seizures, and pretended he had cerebral palsy.  Loneliness and insanity start to sneak up as he becomes an alcoholic with public displays of hiding something disturbingly wrong and which nobody notices or cares enough to help. 

Powerful, dark and a well told true story in a graphic novel form that shares the life of a disturbed young man and detailing odd behavior that may had lead to why he becomes a notorious serial killer and one of the most famous. A story with an unhappy ending. It has been recommended for professionals and those who are into true crime stories.  Other books written by this author include, Trashed, Punk Rock and Trailer Parks, and True Stories #1.