I've decided not to rate this. Yes, it was very long, but I was still engaged throughout the story. It could be repetitive and heavy-handed and downright strange but I wasn't disappointed by it. And yet I can't rate it so I won't. More than anything I'd like to hear about Mr. Chbosky's writing process for this. It would take me 20 years to write it too, damn.
4.5. I wanna give it 5 but there's something about it holding me back. Well, I know what the something is. I won't spoil it though because it really is something you have to read for yourself. It was unexpected but not out of the realm of the story if that makes sense. I read it in like 2 days flat. It kept me totally hooked.