A review by kellysmaust
Tighter by Adele Griffin

2.0

First of all, I really need contemporary retellings of classic novels to say what they are on the title page or something because nothing makes me feel more ignorant than finishing a book and finding out after the fact that it was based on Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. I haven't read the original, was it a ghost story? Yes or no, it at least explains why the protagonist had such an old-timey job and why social class was such a big deal in this story and why most of the characters had nothing more they were responsible for doing than driving around the island and lounging around in the afternoon shade (in retrospect, I should have realized). Of course the inevitable comparison for me is [b:The Wife Upstairs|53137893|The Wife Upstairs|Rachel Hawkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609506208l/53137893._SY75_.jpg|67818991], a Jane Eyre retelling, which I gave a 1-star review and would have given it less if I could have. Tighter's protagonist is better than Jane in The Wife Upstairs in that I didn't immediately want to punch her in the face on page 1, but she's just so indescribably BORING, and also addicted to pills randomly, and takes care of a little girl and drives her around the island under the influence. She doesn't seem to have any plans or aspirations for her life or even any hobbies. Even as I write this review I'm struggling to remember what even happened plot-wise. Just bland and forgettable all around.