Background... I have owned a copy of this book since last Autumn. Long before I had heard about the TV show. It was a gift from an acquaintance of mine. We (she and I) both agreed that it was dubious. Written by a 31 year old man, it is an epistolary ramble through the flawed logic of a suicidal teenage girl. A vindictive burn-book from beyond the grave. Two chapters in, once it was clear where the story was going, I quit reading. I have a 100 page literature rule. If I'm not emotionally invested by page 100 then I stop reading. I didn't make it nearly that far.
But last weekend I made myself watch the show. Because the conversation it is generating is absolutely important. And I wasn't qualified to comment without bearing witness. And on May 15th, I took the book to bed with me and read all night. These are my thoughts.
