As someone who's been going through it for almost a year now with friends, I've got to say: It's so peak. Genuinely, Ryukishi is a masterful writer. There's not many pieces of fiction that make me think as deeply and profoundly as Umineko has. It's another example "the length is what makes it worth reading" - Same with two of my other favorites, Homestuck and One Piece. I cannot recommend it enough.

Also, shoutout to my friend NezumiVA and her stream series of live reading it. She made approaching the VN so much more accessible AND her voices for the characters are perfect.