This was... nice. I can't think of a better word. Despite all the drugs and alcohol and harassment, it felt just like a very regular coming o age story. And while I hope it isn't all that regular, I probably just grew up very, very sheltered.
The narration has a certain softness and naiveté to it that makes it enjoyable and only on second thought gets you to think "wtf just happened??"

On the other hand, I have seen the movie some years ago, so most of the story didn't come as a surprise, even though didn't remember most of the details.