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The Reprobates
For those who remember what it is like to be lost, and suffering from a death of the soul — this is a black comedy that turns a tainted mirror on to some of the most accepted and corrosive problems in our society.
Welcome to Munks, home to the lost, the lonely, and those in perpetual limbo. The ceiling is sweating, the floor is sodden and sticky with booze and vomit, the music is screaming through the speakers, the air is thick and heavy with sweat, the latest up-and-coming band are making an escape from the stage following their last song, the bouncers stand on the sidelines, watching, numb to the noise, and the wild bunch, the reprobates, throng to the bar to slake an endless thirst. They will drink and dance and chew each other’s faces off until the well is as dry and as black as their souls, and the manager is closing all the fire exits as a new dawn fades.
But the glory days cannot go on forever. Cracks are starting to show. Everyone in town says that Munks is not like it used to be. New owners with wayward ideas are determined to clean up this place of historic moral bankruptcy, and bring the ‘big’ bands back to have their breakthrough moment on a dying dance floor.
Amongst the rot, the decay, the crime, and the hedonism — a young man tries to save the club from ruin, instead of saving both himself and everyone in it.
Both a brilliant social commentary, and a rip-roaring page-turner that will have you wondering just what insane event will occur next, 'The Reprobates' is a transgressive, award-nominated novel that examines those dark spaces we hide in, concealing ourselves within plain sight, a subject where very few novels have gone before.
Welcome to Munks, home to the lost, the lonely, and those in perpetual limbo. The ceiling is sweating, the floor is sodden and sticky with booze and vomit, the music is screaming through the speakers, the air is thick and heavy with sweat, the latest up-and-coming band are making an escape from the stage following their last song, the bouncers stand on the sidelines, watching, numb to the noise, and the wild bunch, the reprobates, throng to the bar to slake an endless thirst. They will drink and dance and chew each other’s faces off until the well is as dry and as black as their souls, and the manager is closing all the fire exits as a new dawn fades.
But the glory days cannot go on forever. Cracks are starting to show. Everyone in town says that Munks is not like it used to be. New owners with wayward ideas are determined to clean up this place of historic moral bankruptcy, and bring the ‘big’ bands back to have their breakthrough moment on a dying dance floor.
Amongst the rot, the decay, the crime, and the hedonism — a young man tries to save the club from ruin, instead of saving both himself and everyone in it.
Both a brilliant social commentary, and a rip-roaring page-turner that will have you wondering just what insane event will occur next, 'The Reprobates' is a transgressive, award-nominated novel that examines those dark spaces we hide in, concealing ourselves within plain sight, a subject where very few novels have gone before.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2022
About the author
Benjamin Grose
2 books3 followersBen works as a service designer in London, but writing has always been a vital part of his life since he was young.
He has written numerous short stories, novels, and articles and has a Masters in Creative Writing.
‘The Rebrobates’ was inspired by his student days working in a nightclub. It was here that he witnessed a lost generation at play.
Ben currently lives in Wiltshire with his partner and their family. He is part of the Bath Spa Creative Writing Alumni.
He has written numerous short stories, novels, and articles and has a Masters in Creative Writing.
‘The Rebrobates’ was inspired by his student days working in a nightclub. It was here that he witnessed a lost generation at play.
Ben currently lives in Wiltshire with his partner and their family. He is part of the Bath Spa Creative Writing Alumni.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 13, 2023
We employ several strategies that could preserve the places we value, but these strategies aren't always successful. There may be another unique concept that preserves it properly, but keep in mind the price that remains within! Introducing THE REPROBATES by BENJAMIN GROSE, a narrative that ties to the previous lines. The cover page has a special dedication to the genre and engaging content.
The story takes place in a nightclub called Munks, which used to be a place where everyone could find a place to go, regardless of how lonely, lost, or depressed they might be. However, now, it has simply lost its prior allure, and business has decreased. Then the new owners arrive, hoping to rescue it by putting their suggestions into practice. However, it did not go well, and nothing changed. Now a young man shows up who will do all in his power to salvage the nightclub while disregarding all other considerations.
Understand some of the most prevalent and damaging issues in our culture by reading and following the compelling story!
Since the novel was written in the first person, readers get the impression that they are there in those moments. It is an engaging book because of the way the narrative is connected to the colorful characters. The book is witty and entertaining, making it difficult to put down. The more you read, the more the plot will draw you in. You'll want to have it done as quickly as you can. Try it out; you'll enjoy it
The story takes place in a nightclub called Munks, which used to be a place where everyone could find a place to go, regardless of how lonely, lost, or depressed they might be. However, now, it has simply lost its prior allure, and business has decreased. Then the new owners arrive, hoping to rescue it by putting their suggestions into practice. However, it did not go well, and nothing changed. Now a young man shows up who will do all in his power to salvage the nightclub while disregarding all other considerations.
Understand some of the most prevalent and damaging issues in our culture by reading and following the compelling story!
Since the novel was written in the first person, readers get the impression that they are there in those moments. It is an engaging book because of the way the narrative is connected to the colorful characters. The book is witty and entertaining, making it difficult to put down. The more you read, the more the plot will draw you in. You'll want to have it done as quickly as you can. Try it out; you'll enjoy it
January 12, 2023
Benjamin Grose’s book “THE REPROBATES” is fast-paced, action-packed, and written with a pinch of black comedy and humor. If you don't like to laugh, don't read this book.
It's about a nightclub called Munks that used to be popular and used to welcome lost and lonely fellows. But with time, Munks lost its charm and faced decline. There were people who wanted to save Munks and there were people who wanted to turn Munks into something else.
With every turning page, the story just gets more interesting. Benjamin Grose is a great writer, and I really enjoy every moment I spend with this book.
It's about a nightclub called Munks that used to be popular and used to welcome lost and lonely fellows. But with time, Munks lost its charm and faced decline. There were people who wanted to save Munks and there were people who wanted to turn Munks into something else.
With every turning page, the story just gets more interesting. Benjamin Grose is a great writer, and I really enjoy every moment I spend with this book.
January 12, 2023
This book is clever, funny, and hard to put down. I did not know what I was getting into when I started this novel. I laughed all the way through it. It's a story of new owners of a used-to-be-a-famous nightclub who are determined to redeem Munks of moral bankruptcy. Then there’s our hero who muddles his way through the chaos to save the nightclub but at what cost?
I loved this book. The plot is unique. The characters are great. From Pete Bone to Dancing Man, every character was well-developed. The snarkiness between them was perfect! There’s healthy comedy in the story which turned this book into an unputdownable read for me. Overall, a great story.
I loved this book. The plot is unique. The characters are great. From Pete Bone to Dancing Man, every character was well-developed. The snarkiness between them was perfect! There’s healthy comedy in the story which turned this book into an unputdownable read for me. Overall, a great story.
June 27, 2023
In Christian theology, ‘reprobation’ is a doctrine that teaches that a person can reject the gospel to a point where God in turn rejects them and curses their conscience. The title of the Benjamin Grose's book, The Reprobates, is a hyperbolic representation of society.
The story points out the most prevalent and damaging issues like alcoholism and substance abuse and the environment surrounding that in our society, and the fact that it has become so typical to live in such conditions for some living and breathing it like air.
The manager of the night club who was once just a bartender in the same place narrates the whole story of how the night changed over time, and its day-to-day happenings, after three years of his tenure in this position.
He depicts each and every character at the nightclub, from the bartender, other employees, his co-workers, management people, and performers to the daily customers and other individuals that tend to show up at the club from time to time.
The nightclub is falling apart and the new management, in order to save its image, is causing even more damage by doing experiments like changing it into a cafe for the day and just a “live music venue” at night.
Due to the change in the positions and the shifts, workers as old as 7 to 10 years of association with the club are leaving their job, the water pipes are bursting, the sound system’s ownership is gone, the customer ratio is declining and the manager who himself is troubled by his chainsmoking habits is living on borrowed time with his constantly increasing health issues.
The story is painstakingly evocative and realistic about the rampant alcoholism and such normalization of substance abuse. The portrayal of the pain and struggle in society is disturbing and eye-opening at the same time.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
✅ Verdict: A story full of dark humor and madness that deeply reflects on society with laughter.
👉 Read the full review of The Reprobates by Benjamin Grose on Vowelor.
The story points out the most prevalent and damaging issues like alcoholism and substance abuse and the environment surrounding that in our society, and the fact that it has become so typical to live in such conditions for some living and breathing it like air.
The manager of the night club who was once just a bartender in the same place narrates the whole story of how the night changed over time, and its day-to-day happenings, after three years of his tenure in this position.
He depicts each and every character at the nightclub, from the bartender, other employees, his co-workers, management people, and performers to the daily customers and other individuals that tend to show up at the club from time to time.
The nightclub is falling apart and the new management, in order to save its image, is causing even more damage by doing experiments like changing it into a cafe for the day and just a “live music venue” at night.
Due to the change in the positions and the shifts, workers as old as 7 to 10 years of association with the club are leaving their job, the water pipes are bursting, the sound system’s ownership is gone, the customer ratio is declining and the manager who himself is troubled by his chainsmoking habits is living on borrowed time with his constantly increasing health issues.
The story is painstakingly evocative and realistic about the rampant alcoholism and such normalization of substance abuse. The portrayal of the pain and struggle in society is disturbing and eye-opening at the same time.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
✅ Verdict: A story full of dark humor and madness that deeply reflects on society with laughter.
👉 Read the full review of The Reprobates by Benjamin Grose on Vowelor.
February 20, 2023
A fascinating and often dark insight into the hidden world of underground British nightlife. This is a gritty book, full of desperation, but laced with a hopeful optimism in some obscure way. You just can't help liking these sorry excuses for human beings and their mad capers. If you are the kind of reader who likes to stretch their limits, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
March 15, 2023
The Reprobates is my first book by Benjamin Grose and I am surprised, it's one of the finest black comedy stories that I have ever read or watched. The story is about a nightclub and people trying to save it, honestly I was a little skeptical about the book cause yes I didn't understand the name of the book only but the synopsis caught my attention, and I am glad that I picked this book.
The story is about Munks, a nightclub, a home to the lost, and lonely people, a place where people really forget about their struggles, concerns and senses. There was a time when this nightclub was very famous and many bands that performed here became popular. But now it is not having a good time, it is dealing with moral bankruptcy and many people in order of trying to save it is causing it more harm, some new owners turned it into a Live Music Venue. At this point enters the protagonist of the story who does all he can to save this place and is ready to give everything he could for the cause. But will he be able to save the nightclub? The answer to this question lies in the story.
What I loved about this book the most is its way of narration, it takes its time to establish the reader's connection to the Munks and the people associated with it and then gradually moves to describe the crisis and then the struggle to save it. Black Comedy can always go the wrong way if not executed perfectly, but the author has done an excellent job here, the humor is always on point and never feels forced. The book sure is a page turner and I found it hard to put this book down.
The book will be a great read for everyone and if you are looking to read something fresh and different this could be your best option.
The story is about Munks, a nightclub, a home to the lost, and lonely people, a place where people really forget about their struggles, concerns and senses. There was a time when this nightclub was very famous and many bands that performed here became popular. But now it is not having a good time, it is dealing with moral bankruptcy and many people in order of trying to save it is causing it more harm, some new owners turned it into a Live Music Venue. At this point enters the protagonist of the story who does all he can to save this place and is ready to give everything he could for the cause. But will he be able to save the nightclub? The answer to this question lies in the story.
What I loved about this book the most is its way of narration, it takes its time to establish the reader's connection to the Munks and the people associated with it and then gradually moves to describe the crisis and then the struggle to save it. Black Comedy can always go the wrong way if not executed perfectly, but the author has done an excellent job here, the humor is always on point and never feels forced. The book sure is a page turner and I found it hard to put this book down.
The book will be a great read for everyone and if you are looking to read something fresh and different this could be your best option.
January 23, 2023
The Reprobates
By
Benjamin Grose
Rating:5/5
Description:
Welcome to Munks…home to the lost, the lonely, and those in perpetual limbo. A famous nightclub now in decline. New owners with wayward ideas are determined to redeem this place of moral bankruptcy. Amongst the rot, the depravity, the crime, and the hedonism – a young man tries to save it from ruin, instead of saving both himself and everyone in it.
This is a black comedy that turns a tainted mirror on to some of the most accepted and corrosive problems in our society.
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well.Writing style is appreciable .This book is a masterpiece of societal observation. It’s full of situations that often and do occur in the nighttime trade.The story will take readers on a young man’s quest to save a nightclub called Munks. Munks used to be very famous at one time and it used to welcome lots of customers every single day. But now it’s in decline.With every turning page, the story just gets more interesting. Benjamin Grose is a great writer, and I really enjoy every moment I spend with this book.
For book link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/180227772...
wow! what a book! i am in love with the book.
👉i just loved reading the book ...
happy reading!.
#authorscommunity #authorscommunityofinstagram
By
Benjamin Grose
Rating:5/5
Description:
Welcome to Munks…home to the lost, the lonely, and those in perpetual limbo. A famous nightclub now in decline. New owners with wayward ideas are determined to redeem this place of moral bankruptcy. Amongst the rot, the depravity, the crime, and the hedonism – a young man tries to save it from ruin, instead of saving both himself and everyone in it.
This is a black comedy that turns a tainted mirror on to some of the most accepted and corrosive problems in our society.
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well.Writing style is appreciable .This book is a masterpiece of societal observation. It’s full of situations that often and do occur in the nighttime trade.The story will take readers on a young man’s quest to save a nightclub called Munks. Munks used to be very famous at one time and it used to welcome lots of customers every single day. But now it’s in decline.With every turning page, the story just gets more interesting. Benjamin Grose is a great writer, and I really enjoy every moment I spend with this book.
For book link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/180227772...
wow! what a book! i am in love with the book.
👉i just loved reading the book ...
happy reading!.
#authorscommunity #authorscommunityofinstagram
December 5, 2023
Hmmm… this one is a bit difficult to rate. Humor is very subjective, especially dark humor, and what one person finds funny might not work for someone else. This style of humor didn’t really work for me, but your mileage may vary.
I actually found this book quite sad. It’s told in first person tense, with the narrator being the manager of a bar/nightclub (called Munks) which is quite a dump (although it had once been grand). The manager (his real name is never given, although he does give people fake names from time to time) is slowly drinking himself to death and his entire life revolves around Munks. New management comes in with a plan to bring the club back to life, which the manager knows is a terrible plan, but he stays working there.
He really has absolutely nothing left in his life aside from Munks. The people who work there are his only friends. He ignores phone calls and texts from his mom. I think this was the part of the story that I found so sad. I wanted him to stop drinking and make some real connections in his life.
I could see where the funny parts were, and if the overall tone of the book was a bit lighter I might have been able to enjoy the humor more than I did. At one point the manager is interviewing a guy who very obviously lied on his resume. The guy put the name Clark Kent on the resume, and said that he could speak multiple languages, his work history was absurd, and the interview actually ended with the manager offering him a job. There were also lots of drunk customers falling over and passing out in the bathroom moments, inside jokes between co-workers, that kind of thing.
It was kind of difficult to tell the passage of time. The story is told in little snippets, sort of like one scene at a time. I could read twenty pages of the book and honestly not know if what I’d just read had all happened on the same night, or over the course of months. I think this was done deliberately, since the manager is a drunk, and an alcoholic might have some trouble telling how much time has passed. Sometimes the scenes are written as run-on sentences with no punctuation, which I also think was done deliberately when the manager was drunk. It was kind on an artsy way of writing.
I guess I would describe the book like the movie Trainspotting, although a little more disjointed and a bit more sad (at least from my perspective). I’m honestly not sure if I liked it or not, but it definitely has stuck with me.
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book!
I actually found this book quite sad. It’s told in first person tense, with the narrator being the manager of a bar/nightclub (called Munks) which is quite a dump (although it had once been grand). The manager (his real name is never given, although he does give people fake names from time to time) is slowly drinking himself to death and his entire life revolves around Munks. New management comes in with a plan to bring the club back to life, which the manager knows is a terrible plan, but he stays working there.
He really has absolutely nothing left in his life aside from Munks. The people who work there are his only friends. He ignores phone calls and texts from his mom. I think this was the part of the story that I found so sad. I wanted him to stop drinking and make some real connections in his life.
I could see where the funny parts were, and if the overall tone of the book was a bit lighter I might have been able to enjoy the humor more than I did. At one point the manager is interviewing a guy who very obviously lied on his resume. The guy put the name Clark Kent on the resume, and said that he could speak multiple languages, his work history was absurd, and the interview actually ended with the manager offering him a job. There were also lots of drunk customers falling over and passing out in the bathroom moments, inside jokes between co-workers, that kind of thing.
It was kind of difficult to tell the passage of time. The story is told in little snippets, sort of like one scene at a time. I could read twenty pages of the book and honestly not know if what I’d just read had all happened on the same night, or over the course of months. I think this was done deliberately, since the manager is a drunk, and an alcoholic might have some trouble telling how much time has passed. Sometimes the scenes are written as run-on sentences with no punctuation, which I also think was done deliberately when the manager was drunk. It was kind on an artsy way of writing.
I guess I would describe the book like the movie Trainspotting, although a little more disjointed and a bit more sad (at least from my perspective). I’m honestly not sure if I liked it or not, but it definitely has stuck with me.
Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book!
January 10, 2023
The Reprobates is a novel written from a failing nightclub Manager's perspective, and who remains unnamed throughout the story. Dark comedy is not my usual choice of genre, but the storyline quickly gripped me, transporting me to a world that I never knew existed. I loved following the colourful character's lives and antics, which will resonate with the younger generation and shock the older generation. Woven into the storyline is a clever mix of disbelief, shock, gritty humour and camaraderie. Benjamin Grose is definitely an author to watch and I hope he has a second book up his sleeve!
March 22, 2024
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Reprobates
Author: Benjamin Grose
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“Such an original book; had me laughing too. Dark, gritty humour – the best sort.” Male reader, aged 55
“Munks reminds me of a nightclub I enjoyed going to when I was at university. I think I was the only student in there. Smelt terrible – the club, not me. Enjoyed this book. The author’s comic timing is often spot on.” Male reader, aged 54
“Alcohol abuse, substance abuse, larger than life characters – and a morally corrupt nightclub – an excellent mix for a gritty novel. Other than being a bit slow at the beginning, I enjoyed it very much.” Female reader, aged 29
“A novel filled with losers, but you just can’t help rooting for them. It’s the story of a man trying to save a nightclub. The author must have spent a lot of time in dodgy clubs to get this book written. It’s possibly a bit too gritty for many readers, but I enjoyed the honesty of it all.” Female reader, aged 22
To Sum It Up:
‘A dark comedy populated with a host of very ‘real’ characters. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: The Reprobates
Author: Benjamin Grose
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 15 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
10 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“Such an original book; had me laughing too. Dark, gritty humour – the best sort.” Male reader, aged 55
“Munks reminds me of a nightclub I enjoyed going to when I was at university. I think I was the only student in there. Smelt terrible – the club, not me. Enjoyed this book. The author’s comic timing is often spot on.” Male reader, aged 54
“Alcohol abuse, substance abuse, larger than life characters – and a morally corrupt nightclub – an excellent mix for a gritty novel. Other than being a bit slow at the beginning, I enjoyed it very much.” Female reader, aged 29
“A novel filled with losers, but you just can’t help rooting for them. It’s the story of a man trying to save a nightclub. The author must have spent a lot of time in dodgy clubs to get this book written. It’s possibly a bit too gritty for many readers, but I enjoyed the honesty of it all.” Female reader, aged 22
To Sum It Up:
‘A dark comedy populated with a host of very ‘real’ characters. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
May 15, 2023
Reading The Reprobates opened my eyes to where the lowest people can go when wasted, and if you want to know more about what goes on in some of those sleazy nightclubs - then this book is written for you. It’s funny, wry, and informative in only the way an author who knows his craft and his subject can be. I really enjoyed this book, it is so entertaining. This is one book that I will read again and I totally recommend. It would be great to read more by Benjamin Grose.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews