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Scrabble Babble Rabble

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Four prison inmates are thrown randomly together during recreation time, to play scrabble, with the added zing of occasionally telling stories about a word on the board. The stories reveal their characters and histories, but the scrabble itself is a mere transient remission from the vagaries and harshness of prison life, which continues unabated around them and through them.

We are party to a voyage through calm settled waters of support, camaraderie and story-telling, to storms of violence, abuse and abject despair in a rigid, alien and unforgiving environment. We feel the emotions of the highs and lows of prison life through the victimisation, determination and hope of our players, who ultimately all show resilience in one way or another.

It is a fable about humanity, garnered with wit, insight and encouragement, with a little whodunnit? thrown in for good measure.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2022

2 people are currently reading
142 people want to read

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Bruno Beaches

4 books23 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,300 reviews3,443 followers
February 16, 2022
My head and heart 😌💌
I love the author’s latest book. There’s so much comfort in the writing and in knowing the characters.

This is the third book by the author that I have given perfect rating because of all the genuineness in the writing, the character development and the plot.

And I can see a huge change in the latest book in terms of both character development and representation as well as the writing. The story is gripping in a sense that you want more of it as you go on reading.

You will feel the love of language and words throughout the book; the characters talking and having discussions on it; the storytelling of the stories of four inmates that would make you feel more human as you know more about them.

Each character holds a special place in my heart now as they showed themselves as they truly are. Again, kudos to the author for bringing out their personalities so well and definite. I cannot choose a favourite as they are quite unique and memorable.

Only when we read such stories about the jail inmates and what led them there, we come to realise what they have to go through and who the real culprits are. It’s sad but it’s happening. The story reflects this with much clarity.

If you want to read a different story that is not cliché but will stay with you for days, do pick up this book.
Profile Image for Swati Tanu.
Author 1 book614 followers
November 16, 2025
Learnings, experiences, perspectives, difficult decisions, philosophy and much more are served by this book. This is a story of four prisoners Lenny, Terry, Denis, and Kevin. During the recreation time, they share their stories. In their individual narrative, the first few chapters discuss these four people's daily routines. With the help of the game, the author provides us with a glimpse into their former lives as the novel progresses. 

During their free time, they are instructed to play Scrabble. They've been informed that while playing the game, they should describe the tale of their lives using terms from the game. The artist presents many stories verbally and metaphorically advising being a part of reforming society.

The book has unexpected turns and is suspenseful; the characters are shady and cagey, and everyone has something to hide. The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the language is clear and easy to understand, flowing smoothly at all times.

You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.
Profile Image for Aneela ♒the_mystique_reader♒.
179 reviews126 followers
June 11, 2022
3.5 stars

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Four prisoners jailed for different crimes from drug abuse to committing murder were brought together by their English teacher to play scrabble to help improve the English of a young inmate. An interesting rule was introduced, though. To grab some extra points, the players have to tell a story which contains one word that was on the scrabble board. They shared some of their darkest stories and personal experiences and, eventually developed a sense of friendship amongst them.

One day, a man was murdered in the cafeteria during a riot just a few feet away from the police officers and an investigation ensued. Will the police find the murderer who is already on their premises? You have to read it yourself to find out 😊 but keep in mind that the story gets slow at times because of the elaborate description of the game.

Mr. Bruno Beaches, the author, is a retired police officer and he has a unique writing style. He mostly writes stories about criminals and police officers and most of his characters are morally grey. They are bad people who committed heinous crimes, but you can't hate them. You can't love them either.

My favourite character from Scrabble, Babble Rabble was the English teacher, Mr. Blanchflower. He was kind and nice and his teaching style was really impressive. He would tell stories and anecdotes to his inmate students to make English lessons easy as well as interesting. I wish, we all had caring and competent teachers like Mr. Blanchflower.

Thank you @brunobeaches for sending me the copy of your book.
Profile Image for Jainand Gurjar.
285 reviews9 followers
May 17, 2022
Book: Scrabble Babble Rabble
Author: Bruno Beaches
Genre: Literature and Fiction
Edition: Ebook
Rating: 4.75/5

Scrabble Babble Rabble by Bruno Beaches is a story of four prison inmates - Liam, Kevin, Terry, and Denis, who got to know about each other through a game - Scrabble during their association time and got to know about each other through it. Mr. Blanchflower is an English teacher for the prisoners for those prisoners who are willing to take the classes. As Liam was weak in English, Mr. Blanchflower assigned Kevin to assist and help Liam in English classes. He advised them to play scrabble but with a twist, they have to a story associated with the words from the game in each round. This association time came as a rescue for all four of them, as it give them a little escape from the monotonous haunting prison life and something they can lookout for the next day. To know more about how their past life affects them in prison, get to know the insights of prison life and how people survive the politics and power game inside there, and how each of them being so distant and different from each other came together because of a game, read this book! It is worth it.


I loved this story and specially the concept of having the crossroads of stories through the game scrabble where all of the background stories of the protagonists emerge and give insights into their life while still having the individuality. How the author has portrayed the characters and did the character development really stood out very well for me and this is the thing that I loved the most. The very first chapter itself, which starts with the description of Mr. Blenchflower took away my heart and I knew this book is going to be something else and it didn't disappoint my expectations. Mr. Blenchflower was the teacher which we all want in our lives and was the one whom we always look out for as an ideal, as someone who inspires us (You can obviously read the first three chapters in the sample in the kindle edition and decide whether you want to read it or not because I know after reading it, you want to read the book😉).

The author ended the book so cleverly that you couldn't predict it. It was an unexpected twist that I loved and enjoyed. The writing flows naturally and smoothly throughout the book and was a delight to read. Although the book was 334 pages, it didn't feel so because as the book progresses, you won't even realise when you started it and when it finished.

With the easy language and exquisite writing, this book becomes a beginner-friendly book as well. So, whether you are an avid reader or a beginner, you can easily read this book and enjoy it.
Profile Image for Agirlwithherbooks.
319 reviews15 followers
April 11, 2022
Scrabble Babble Rabble by Bruno Beaches ✨
I am always looking for book with intriguing and different themes, and when j came across this and read the Blurb i was instantaneously drawn towards the book.

The plot is set in a prison, and revolves around four inmates Lenny, Terry, Kevin, Denis. As they engage in a game of scrabble they start sharing their Stories along with each word and thus begins a saga of determination and hope of players, who ultimately all show resilience in one way or another. Add in a muder with a little whodunnit? thrown in for more intrigue and excitement.

Bruno Beaches weaves a mind bending tale with strikingly unique setting and strong willed characters,and it had an inspiring story. The writing is pretty good with, the language accessibly written, the characters are easy to connect with, i was emotionally invested in their fable making it a irresistible page turner. The highs and lows of prison life is so aptly captured, it just stayes with long after the end of the read. Overall i loved the book and this tale of humanity, garnered with wit, insight and encouragement, and mystery is one such read everyone should read!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!
Profile Image for Róisin (somethingarosie).
336 reviews11 followers
December 27, 2022
This is a quirky book. I’ve not read one that takes place in a prison before. It was interesting to get a glimpse into what life is like inside a prison, from the perspective of both prisoners & staff. I don’t know how accurate this portrayal is. However, given that the author is a retired police officer, chances are, it’s a faithful depiction overall.

The characterisation is great. Despite their various grievances, I could not help but feel empathetic towards them, especially Kevin. However I feel we don’t learn as much about why Denis is in prison and any time another inmate asks him about his crimes, he acts very suss and guarded. The author builds intrigue about Denis’ past but never lifts the lid on it, which is a tad disappointing. The only other critique I have is in regards to the scrabble games, which I tended to skim through as the level of detail seemed a bit unnecessary as it is not vital for the plot to move forward. However, this is more an observation than a criticism. It did not impact my overall enjoyment of the book.

Despite the prison setting, the sometimes serious situations and emotional moments, this was an easy, light read for me. The ending is quite a hopeful one too, and could lend itself to a sequel if the author was so inclined. Perhaps it could explore Denis’ life more. The book reminds me of The Thursday Murder Club, with its humour, wit and the challenge to solve a crime. Also similar, this lightness is diluted slightly by more somber, emotional moments, which were impactful and dare I say, expected in a prison setting. If you like Richard Osman’s series, I think you’d enjoy Scrabble Rabble Babble.

4⭐️

A huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
#ADgifted
Profile Image for Ishan Agrawal.
938 reviews47 followers
April 23, 2022
So on the occasion of World's Book Day I thought to pick a book that is written by an author who has had a great impact on my psyche and the way I perceive things. His past two novels were nothing short of marvel and I was really looking forward to delve deep into this one as well and it dint disappoint me either.

There are times when how we present ourselves from outside differs significantly from who we are beneath the surface. There are many layers to a human and all of them may not get revealed on the first impression. And this is what the underlying theme of this book is or atleast thats how I interpreted it through the story of four inmates who are locked in prison for the crimes which maybe they dint even commit.

The tale is exceptionally written and amazingly narrated. The way author has intermingled character development with the element of mystery is spell binding to say the least. Through the game of scrabble how the characters describe their past through the eccentric usage of words is so creative yet seems quite natural and not something that is pushed down our throat forcefully. As the story of author himself felt deeply personal to me , I could feel even this creation of him is less fictional and more about his own life and reflections.

Overall another excellent work with even more depth and magnificent characterization . Can't stop recommending it
Profile Image for Ganesh.
157 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2023
Bruno Beaches' 'Scrabble Babble Rabble' tells the story of four prisoners who are given scarbble while on break. Although the premise is too niche, props should be given to the author for making this book an intriguing read. The story follows an unconventional narration with each of the prisoners telling a story based on the word that is constructed on the board. We get backstories, their motivations and the bigger picture of why they are imprisoned from these short flashbacks. I am left with constantly guessing what would happen next and we would get some plot twists which genuinely subvert our expectations rather than for the sake of having it. Anything more would be a spoiler and I want you to experience it first hand.
Profile Image for Hepzibah Becca Jael.
689 reviews9 followers
February 13, 2022
Scrabble Babble Rabble
Bruno Beaches

Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐

Review

Prison inmates Terry, Liam, Dennis and Kevin meet through a random scrabble game and the book starts off with their daily lives but as the story progresses the author gives us s glimpse of their past lives and why they've become who they are now. I loved the book because everything was so well detailed and when I came to know that the author was a police official, I just loved that even more!

These prisoner's lives in prison seem mundane but it seems scrabble gives them a temporary escape from it all, and allows them to be themselves!

This is my third book by the author and I'm not surprised that I love his work! The writing style is simply lovable and neat, the plot is well constructed, description is used when necessary and at the right amount, experience talk us always the best and the characters make us feel emphatic and makes us understand them better! And finally I love love love the concept of using scrabble keep flow of the narrative! Totally unique and one of a kind looking forward to read more from the author!!

Happy reading!
Profile Image for Jo.
435 reviews3 followers
February 28, 2023
This is an uplifting story of how Scrabble and friendships grew in the hardship of prison. 4 very different carachters gathered every evening to play Scrabble and share stories. There's a murder, a police investigation and drugs and suicide throughout the story but I still ended it feeling better for reading this
Profile Image for Darcie R.
217 reviews7 followers
January 30, 2023
What a fascinating idea for a book! This was like nothing I’ve read before, and I absolutely loved it.

The story is about four prison inmates who play a game of scrabble, however there is a twist. The inmates are awarded extra points in the game if they share stories from their lives, using the words on the scrabble board. To top it all off, there is a mystery thrown into the plot for good measure.

What I liked most about this book was the character development. The author did a great job of providing lots of details on each character, and presented them in a great way through the scrabble board stories. The stories the prisoners tell really help the reader to better understand each inmate.

I also really enjoyed all of the various emotions I felt while reading this story. There were moments of sadness, happiness, and I even laughed out loud in a couple of places.

Overall, this was a great book to devour. I would recommend it to anyone who likes an intriguing crime/mystery book.

Thank you to the author Bruno Beaches for providing me with a finished copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa Willis.
464 reviews13 followers
August 6, 2022
Thank you to Bruno Beaches for the copy of this book. I started quite slowly with it, but then ended up devouring it. Crime is one of my favourite genres, so I wasn't going to pass this up and glad I didn't.

4 inmates start up a game of scrabble with a twist. Extra points for sharing stories about their lives using words off the board. Some of their stories were quite dark, but they all seemed to forge a friendship. Then someone is killed during a riot and so an investigation starts.

I enjoyed reading this as it gives a raw and honest insight into what life is like in prison. You can tell from the writing style that a lot of research was done for it.
Profile Image for Trisha Halder.
110 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2022
SCRABBLE BABBLE RABBLE by Bruno Beaches depicts a simple yet deep story of four prisoners who were randomly thrown together. Denis, Liam, Terry and Kevin are the four strangers, serving their own years behind the bars. All had their own pasts pressing down their souls but their little game of scrabble and story telling made the days easier.

What I like about the plot is that the government thought about giving the prisoners some valuable classes or activities that will help them somewhat grow in life. The book shows the regular activity and investigation that goes inside. Not only the good part but the cruel, threatening part was also prominent here. Some people still commit crime while being inside the cell and make the other comparatively weak inmates a victim of their torture.

But I liked the way the author built the characters. Each of the 4 inmates had different personalities and crimes, yet they stuck together like brothers and made a comfort zone for each other.

Another thing I absolutely loved was the emotions coming through Kevin. In life, some people don't commit horrible things deliberately. Here we can literally feel what a person can go through mentally after being a victim of fate's irony. The novel is proof that men can be vulnerable too, can love their family unconditionally and cry apologetically!

The book has some unexpected twists that made my insides churn in sadness. The flow of the words, the way of explaining the game and occasional sarcasm of prisoners made this book a perfect unique read. Besides that it contains some profanities but it was acceptable as the book is not a story of saints.

Overall I enjoyed it a lot and definitely recommend it to the 18+ age group of readers.
Profile Image for Mahi Aggarwal.
947 reviews23 followers
March 8, 2022
❤️Name :- SCRABBLE BABBLE RABBLE
❤️ Author : @brunobeaches
❤️Genre :- fiction
❤️Format:- pdf
❤️ Pages- 264
❤️ Publisher's :- @austinmacauleypublishers

💞Mytake:-

This is my second read of Author Bruno 😃.
And this time I read something which is completely unique and amazing storyline. 💞

These is story of 4 character name ~ LIAM, KEVIN , DENIS AND TERRY .
They all are in prison due to their unusual act in past . In prison they learn alot of new things and do various activities and their teachers also taught them various things like English. During their recreational time their teachers told them to play the game SCRABBLE which help them to pass their time as well as they learn something .
Each word on the board comes up and from it each prisoner have to tell the story related to that.
When the prisoner narrates ,its very emotional part as something they speak from their heart about their past as well as their harsh life in prison.

As this book is filled with emotions 💞and feelings.

As a reader i tell you ,it's really a touching story.
But at one point the story twisted.
To know about their life's as well as to know what exactly happen. Just go through it .

Each character have their own importance in story and well built.
The explicit narration has distributed the weight of the scenario equally between all the phases of the Book .
Ultimately , the convincing plot has made it an engaging read .

The lucid flow of the words and the simple way of storytelling has brought this closer to my heart.

A huge thanks to the author for penning such a massive intrinsic idea.

Definitely Recommended

❤️Cover :- quite simple and beautiful ❤️
🌟 Rating:- 4/5

💓 Happy reading 💓
Profile Image for Readwithmadhu.
507 reviews22 followers
March 11, 2022
No matter what circumstances any human being is put through, there is always this one thing that provides solace which they try to reach out to, either knowingly or unconsciously, yet the end result remains the same.

Similarly, in the book, ‘Scrabble Babble Rabble’ by Bruno Beaches, we see how the four main protagonists of the story, Terry, Liam, Dennis and Kevin, who also happen to be prison inmates, find their comfort in a game of Scrabble, where they not only play, but also talk about their lives.

This recreational activity is instrumental in providing all the four of them with a means to spend their time, as well as results in being an important factor to aid them in having their own sense of freedom whilst also getting them ready and preparing them to survive.

In the initial few chapters, readers might feel like this is just going to be a story where the characters will reminisce about the time that has went by and how they are in their current predicament, however then there comes a plot twist, which was totally unexpected.

It is after this shocker that the book takes the form of a thriller, keeping the readers guessing through out regarding the identity and motive behind the events that took place.

The author has done a wonderful job of providing the readers with an insight on how all the four of them ended where they are today, as well as giving a depth to each of their characters by form of good narration and their back stories. Hence I am going to give this book FIVE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Koshika Sharma.
26 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2022

“Something you don’t get to read so often.”

🎲 This story revolves around the game of scrabble between four prisoners who volunteered to sit together to play during their english class. The four prisoners Terry, Liam, Dennis and Kevin. That’s how they met for the first time. The game rule is simple, to tell a story using the word they place on the board, from their own life experiences.

🎲 These stories are the insight into the life of the four inmates for the readers. But then something happens in the jail and somebody ends up dead.

❓What happens after the chaos?

🤔Well… that’s for you to find out. Read and let the story unfold itself to you.

🎲The writing is simple, the plot is well crafted. The suspense environment keeps you engaged. A bit slow paced sometimes, but overall gripping.

🎲This story is a reality about the jail, how the prisoners end up there, what they go through, and how some innocent top end up in jail. The author used his own experience as a prison officer, a reality insight into the life of the prison.

🎲 Each character has his own different story to tell, their personalities are well portrayed. A unique concept. The surprising and stalwart realities of prison life.

🎲 An enjoyable read. A well structured book. The way story is elaborated through the game and how simultaneously game is used to reflect on the past stories, leave a drastic impact on the readers.
39 reviews3 followers
April 7, 2022
The title is just a perfect match to the 4th novel of the Author Bruno Breaches as the plot revolves around those three words.
It all gets started with the idea of playing the game, scrabble in recreation time of the prisoners. It was a great initiative to lighten the suffocating air of packed cells around them. The four prisoners, Liam, Terry, Denis and Kevin, teamed up for the game by their English teacher to improve their English, while telling a story with every word that they make along the game open ups more about them than just what they portrayed themselves. The word that they chose has a connection with their past with which they build the story, babbling more about them in this suffocated rabble.
 
At first, with the mention of many names I thought it going to be hard regarding characters but after a chapter the story focuses on these 4 characters.
Every character is well developed and well described. Their actions sync well with the description of their personalities.
I really liked the character of Mr. Blanch flower, his love for language, ideology, sense of humour, about his life background and yeah not to forget his recommendations.
Last word: It is a thought provoking, one of it’s kind novel with a touch of humour.
Do pick it up if you love thriller and want to read something completely different.
Profile Image for Aparajita.
94 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2022
With his Till Death We Part series, former police officer turned novelist Bruno Beaches has already won over readers all over the world. But his most recent work, Scrabble babble rabble, provides the audience something special.

Four prisoners are randomly paired up to play scrabble during recreation time, with the added spice of periodically relating anecdotes about a word on the board. Their personalities and histories are reflected in the stories, but the scrabble is only a temporary diversion from the hardships and tribulations of prison life, which continue around and through them.

I was drawn to this book because it deviates significantly from the common perception of what life is like in prison. An easy game of Scrabble reveals the humanity of the prisoners. Because of their stories, we encounter them, learn about them, and are reminded that they are more than just criminals. They are people whose life have included a number of wrong turns. We witness the harsh realities of jail life in the second half of the novel. The stress and the brutality are palpable. The story is masterfully written. It is entirely owing to the author's skill that the narrative has been so expertly crafted that it gave me chills. The characters have been fully realised. There is depth to the characters. I highly recommend this book.
794 reviews17 followers
June 19, 2022
This book is extremely adventurous, the plot choosen by the author describes its title well. The plot of the book is very interesting and unique as the way of wisdom was distributed in the form of stories and giving them a prisoner's perspective.

We all have heard about this amazing game which is Scrabble. As a language learner and having keen interest for the same I really enjoyed the way author has portrayed the characters. Some tales are happy, some are not but for sure all of them are interesting.

The story revolves around four prison-inmates :
Liam, Denis, Kevin and Terry. All are thrown randomly together during recreation time, to play scrabble, where each narrates a story of their lives relevant to that word or what they feel about that particular word. All the four prison-mates are from different background but the prison bind them together in brotherly bond. While playing this game not only they enjoyed it, they learned English language and came to know about their partners life. Who they are and how they are here and many more..

The narration is more descriptive which slows down the pace of story but as there were many characters the speed was genuine. The language is simple and easy to understand. The characters and plot are connecting and relatable. A recommended book with new plot. Happy Reading!!
Profile Image for Theredheaded_Bibliomaniac.
304 reviews36 followers
February 17, 2022
Scrabble Babble Rabble
By
Bruno Beaches
Who is a retired police officer. With lot of experience.
And hence This Book
.

The last I read something about prison was either in Jeffrey Archer or Sidney Sheldon's book and now after years again reading about prisoners life in this book was quite Insightful..
To see it from different perspective and with a different purpose.
.
We see a bit about different prisoners their story and we get to know who are real culprits and who are behind bars...
.
Life of Prisoner is not what book is all about
There is more to It
Here 4 inmates come together to play Scrabble daily and While playing Scrabble they have to tell a story which includes a word from their ongoing game ..
Sounds interesting ...?
.
It was ..the stories were interesting
They were either about their life or the life of people they know..how they ended up in Prison and so on ..
.
And also there is something more going on
Something that will make you reflect upon your life and things around..
.
So go on and read the book
Maybe you all will like it
.
But in few parts it went slow but still those were a bit interesting parts so that's okk
So I am giving this one 4 Stars 🥂
Profile Image for Hiba.
260 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2022
In this story there are four main characters name Lenny, Terry, Kevin and Denis.

The story roam around these four characters and Mr Blanchflower .

They were imprisoned and in the prison they were trying to learn many activities .

They learn English by Mr Blanchflower.

His teacher tells them to play scrabble during the relaxation time.


It was not just a game but a game of stories.

Each make an attempt to tell a story using the words they place on the board.


In playing this game, they learn English, they try to know each other . Trying to know who they are and why they get punished and comes in prison. And also trying to know what was the reason behind punishment.

The concept of the story is amazing and the concept of scrabble game is interesting and marvelous. Title and book cover is zestful. Language is easy to understand and clear . Characterization is perfectly good. The book shows the physical and mental condition of prisoners.

Overall, a perfect and an unique book.

Highly recommended!!! for those who loves unique concept.
Profile Image for Lea Queen.
276 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2022
This story is an interesting take on the lives of inmates and how each has a story behind them. Four inmates , Lenny, Terry, Denis and Kevin, are in the same prison and told to play Scrabble as an activity during their class. The twist is that besides learning a new word in this way, they also have to tell a tale of their life with the word. As the game progresses, the inmates soon learn more about each other, how they reached there and what is the story behind each of them.
Secrets are revealed and the ending is very mysterious making us hope for a sequel.
The writing style is amazing. Though the story might appear lengthy at times, the drag is essential for knowing the characters and relating to them.
The cover and title are unique and fun.
An interesting read.
7 reviews
July 11, 2022
The another book by Bruno Beaches where he explained to us how a simple game can tell us about the lives of the prisoners. The book has revolved around four people who have been kept in jail for going against the law. There they are asked to play a game which is known as "Scrabble" to improve their English but also to tell a story from their lives by using the word formed on the board. It's a very interesting story and the name of the book and the plot are different too. The writer wants to tell us that the prisoners have a story to tell which can bring a sense of understanding to the readers and one can learn a lot. The idea which has been portrayed inside the book is great and will recommend this book to everyone out there.
Profile Image for Avinash Ahuja.
210 reviews8 followers
January 8, 2024
✨ In "Scrabble Babble Rabble," Bruno Beaches crafts a unique narrative set within the confines of a prison, where four inmates find an unexpected escape through a game of Scrabble. The author ingeniously intertwines storytelling with the strategic placement of words on the board, revealing the characters' histories and building a fable about humanity.


📖 Bruno takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster within the prison walls, using the seemingly simple act of playing Scrabble to unveil the complexities of each character's life. From moments of camaraderie and support to storms of violence and despair, the author skillfully captures the highs and lows of prison existence. The storytelling goes beyond mere entertainment, offering profound insights into the resilience of the human spirit amid adversity.


✍️ "Scrabble Babble Rabble" is a thought-provoking journey through the harsh reality of prison life, where words on a board become more than just a game—they become a lifeline. With wit, insight, and a touch of mystery, Bruno delivers a fable that encourages reflection on the human condition. The resilience displayed by the characters underscores the enduring power of hope even in the most unforgiving environments.
Profile Image for Jenna.
135 reviews18 followers
June 3, 2022
The novel is centred around 4 inmates (Kevin, Liam, Dennis and Terry) in prison who play scrabble during their association time. The idea of playing scrabble is brought up by an English teacher who thinks it will help Liam become more familiar with words. They award extra points to those who use a word on the board to tell a story. Through this, you get an insight into a part of their lives before they found themselves in prison. Halfway through the book, a murder takes place and the scrabble games take a pause.

I did think that it was quite repetitive but the game of scrabble does show how association time helps inmates cope with reality. I thought that it was an interesting way to incorporate language with a group of people that would have likely never interacted. This was a really quick read and easy to read although some may find some of the topics explored in the book (and the stories told) triggering.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy.
Profile Image for MeMe.
284 reviews30 followers
September 28, 2022
It's safe to say that Bruno Beaches' book, Scrabble Babble Rabble, was a page-turner. The story revolves around four prisoners who were randomly asked to play scrabble. Individual introductions are provided for each of the four prison inmates. A scrabble game was played, followed by stories about words on the board when they played scrabble together. My initial interest in this book was due to the concept alone, and I have no regrets about my decision. I devoured the book in two sittings due to its engaging storyline. The novel is well worth reading and well-paced and written in a way that is easy to comprehend. I recommend it if you haven't checked out this book yet.
482 reviews20 followers
September 25, 2022
This book was a slow burn that revealed a little about the lives of four prison inmates. Playing Scrabble each week, more and more is shown about their character as they create stories centering around the words on the game board.

Such an interesting idea...but, honestly, I found myself losing focus quite a bit throughout. Watching the details of the actual games of Scrabble felt like watching paint dry. I’m not sure there’s a way to capture such a moment without being bored to tears. That said, there is some action that happens in the prison around the halfway point that renewed a sense of excitement! That and the fact that the dialogue between prisoners feels pretty natural and funny, the book is definitely worth a read.

All in all, I think people who enjoy character studies will enjoy this book. The author has a unique style and an interesting way of doing things.
Profile Image for Colline Vinay Kook-Chun.
771 reviews21 followers
September 26, 2022
An interesting snapshot of prison life. I liked the characters and would have liked some more in-depth treatment of them. An enjoyable read.
188 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2022
The world is full of options available for every thing but there are some antique jwells between them like the diamond in the coal. There have been web series and movies that shows up the life of prisoners, and some uncommon rules for them for some countries and 'Scrabble Babble Rabble' from Bruno Breaches is another such masterpiece from the thousands of them.

The story is the narration of stories from the prisoners who are thrown together to play some game as the tittle of the book named for some recreational activities and mainly to judge their characters on the basis of their stories and behaviour that might help them in relieving their punishment.

The book is itself a collection of story books from them that completely describes the condition of the prisoners, what they pass through, and we get to know all about their feelings too. The book describes how their could be humanity in the prisons hell behind the bars.

The book is intriguing with its unique idea and excellent way of narration that flows smoothly throughout the pages. The book not only has originality but also and attractive and mysterious cover page that attracted me in the first page.

The tittle of the book is creative and clever as well that describes the core concept yet you can't judge it. Overall I liked the piece very much and one must grab this without any doubt.
211 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2022
Mr. Blanchflower conducts English classes two days a week in the prison. Under his suggestion, four prison inmates, Kevin, Liam, Terry and Denis, join together to play 'scrabble' during association time. Under Mr. Blanchflower's guidance, the prisoners make a rule of saying stories related to their word, which would increase their expressiveness and thinking. As time goes by, the game brings them closer than they expected.
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The book title has a nice ring to it, and it is the perfect one for this book. However, a little more work could have been done on the book cover. A lot about prison life and the different kinds of people who are fated to spend time together are revealed in this fiction novel. I also learned the reasons to master a language. From the beginning, I pitied Kevin, on how his small mistake changed his life. I also started liking the other participants of the game in a different way. Almost the first half of the book is focused on the scrabble game and the stories said by the participants. Though most of the stories are entertaining, the part with the game got boring after quite some time. At one point, many new characters were introduced. Many parts of the story were boring, and I would have liked to skip them. The ending of the book was quite unexpected, but I liked it. The book is written using simple vocabulary. However, this is a very unique story.
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