One could say that the greatest success of this book lies in its ability to raise such strong reactions -- positive and negative, so discussions are unavoidable.

I'm split about this. True, Hannah is not a very likable character. On the other hand, I wonder if I would see the story and her feelings differently if I was reading with the not yet developed feelings and maturity of an adult -- Would I understand her at least on some level more? I still feel that the message of this book is dangerous and wrong. I would have been more positive towards the book if it was not marketed as a book on understanding the effects of bullying and preventing suicide. If it was put out as just another story, I would have been Ok with it. I would have liked it more.

This book has troubled my mind, and I don't know what to think of it. It took me about 20% of the book to get into it and not hate it. Now that I finish it I can't say I like it, but I can't say I hate it either. I can, however, say that it is worth reading and thinking about no matter whether you support its message or not.

I can't give it more than two stars because I have issues and great concerns with the way the book was marketed, and the way the story is presented the message is putting out.
Nevertheless, after the first 75-90? pages, the writing got more interesting and deeper. There are issues presented that raise good conversations/debates on issues ranging from Hanna Baker's personality and legitimately arguably shallow or not character, mental health and the way young minds view the world and the importance they place on their peers' opinion of them, the impact we have on others (intentionally or unintentionally), and how (if there is a way) we can teach and protect.

The story itself is not bad. What is bad and dangerous is that it was marketed as a book on the consequences of bullying and suicide. The message this book seems to be passing is like giving a permission slip and a loaded gun to someone who's on the verge of despair and can't think clearly of the permanency of death. It seems to present suicide not as an impulse of true despair, but indirectly seems to justify suicide as a means to "get back" at the ones who caused the hurt, leaving out any chance for help or human kindness -- Not a trace of hope as very well was observed by another person here on Goodreads, Brionee Noonan.
My issue is not with the story. It is with how the story was written and presented, even more because of the way it is been advertised.

I don't know at this point what to feel about this book. We have a traumatized character who has been presented for most of the book more as a vindictive, bitter, shallow teenager than emphasizing the most important reason for her suicide -- sexual harassment and even rape. Hannah has been the victim of sexual harassment and also witness to rape. These more important issues I felt that the book waited until the very end to barely gloss over them rather than outright dealing with them.

This could have been a very good book if it had been written better and the issues that is trying to deal with were presented better. As it is, it is giving out a dangerous message -- From one side, it is presenting the character of a suicidal teenager as an attention seeker, spoiled individual; on the other side, it is presenting suicide as a way to let your message out to those who have hurt you failing to emphasize the permanency of death and the fact that any message, help, or hope for been heard dies with the individual who killed oneself.