4another-perspective4

[4another-perspective4]

"History of a drowning boy"- essay

Hello Everyone!

In this post, I'd like to discuss Des Nilsen's book, "History of a Drowning Boy". First, a little disclaimer: English is not my first language, and I don't publish my thoughts often, so I apologize in advance for any errors.

To the topic: I don't know how many of you have had the chance to read this book, but for those who have, you might already know that Des didn't write it to glorify his crimes. Instead, he wrote it to describe his life and ideas, drawing heavily from journals he kept. For me, this book can positively impact the way one perceives the world. It provides valuable insights not only into the mind of a killer but, more importantly, into the mind of a severely lonely human being deprived of the human connection he needed.

I understand that making contact with others is a basic skill for most of us, but considering the context of the times Des lived in—marked by significant homophobia, limited awareness of male victims of sexual assault, and scant recognition of mental health issues—forming healthy relationships could have been particularly challenging for him. He was a deep thinker with a very complex personality, as his book reveals.

Despite the crimes he committed, I believe it's important to extract valuable lessons from his life and what he left behind. For example, one notable sentence in his book concludes that being locked up is only a state of mind. Additionally, he wrote about efforts to prevent prison guards from violating basic human rights. He never disrespected or degraded them; he stated that he did not hate them but believed that every prisoner deserves their rights to be respected, especially since he had already received his punishment (life imprisonment). This underscores the issue of power abuse common in prisons.

In summary, I do not condone any of Dennis Nilsen's crimes, but I believe his book deserves attention beyond just the True Crime community because of its broader implications. It serves as a warning and reminder to care for our mental health and to recognize that criminals, despite their actions, are also humans who experience emotions, pain, and struggles. It's important to remember that none of us are born evil, and wrongdoing does not automatically transform us into monsters.

Please share your thoughts, and let’s engage in a mature discussion rather than resorting to offensive remarks. I believe we are capable of discussing complex topics in a respectful, adult manner. Take care!