Gilligan's Dreams

by Dreama Denver

For almost 30 years I was married to the man the rest of the world knew as Gilligan. Almost five decades of reruns have made his television character iconic, but the Bob Denver I knew and loved was legendary to me for his courage, his commitment to his severely autistic son and his love for the wife of his dreams, maybe the reason he called me Dreams. Devoting the last 21 years of his life to our son Colin speaks volumes about Bob Denver, the man. Our love story is one for the ages. Anyone who knew us in our years together will tell you that. Our devotion to each other and to Colin was complete, and the courage of this man during the last six months of his life exemplifies the definition of the word. This is the story of a man and woman who made vows to each other and kept them. This is the story of parents facing the challenge of autism together, never wavering in their love for each other or their son. This is the story of Bob and me, two imperfect people who fit perfectly together. Losing Bob was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, but his love left me stronger, more focused and in the end, able to survive even when I thought I couldn’t. Being loved by this man was the greatest gift of my life. For every challenge we faced and every minute we spent together, I love you, Bob Denver.

Genres: Biography

286 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Lisa G]

Gilligan's Island was one of my favorite 60's sitcoms! I still love catching the reruns!

Recently, I decided that it was high time that I get back into reading books again. What a better way to dive back into reading by choosing books that I figure might be of the most interest for me. For starters, I chose to pick up some biographies about my favorite child hood actors, actresses and favorite sitcoms. I figured it might be neat to find out more about who they were, rather than just their TV characters.

I had no idea just how great "Gilligan's Dreams" by his lovely wife Dreama Denver, was going to be! I could hardly put this book down. I anticipated my quite time everyday, to read another chapter or two.

It was such a joy to really get to know more about the talented Bob Denver and what an amazing person he was. Dreama writes in such a way that you feel as if she is talking to you personally about her life with Bob and their experiences, rather than just reading a book. You feel like she is sitting across the table, having coffee with you, and telling you all about her life married to Bob. It's a very easy and smooth flowing book to read.

Dreama takes you through fund memories of the cast of Gilligan's Island. Such a treat to get to know more about the 7 castaways! She also talks about how she and Bob met, how they fell in love, their honey moon days, acting days together, travels, and favorite places to visit beautifully described. It is very neat to learn of the close relationship Bob and Dreama have with Bob's other children, and later having their first baby together. After finding out that their son is severely autistic, the love for him remained unconditional. She speaks so lovingly and heartfelt about the strong family bonds and loving relationship they had during good years and through some of the toughest life's challenges that they faced together as a family in later years, still keeping the strength, humor, courage and their love for each other. It is truly an inspiring book to learn of everything they went through, yet their love and respect for one another and family ties never ceased.

Highly recommend this book! 5 Stars!

[Amy]

I’ve spent countless hours watching Gilligan’s Island, thinking I would have loved to have known Bob Denver. I always thought he was probably one of the sweetest and funniest humans and it would be amazing to know him. Well, thanks to his wife Dreama, we can all do just that.

“Gilligan’s Dreams: The Other Side of the Island,” is the story of Bob, Dreama and their son Colin. Dreama takes you though their life together with all its ups and downs, heartache, good times and bad. You’ll read how a young girl from West Virginia traveled to Florida to co-star in a play with Gilligan himself, not knowing it would change her life. How they fell in love, got married, had a baby and eventually moved to West Virginia to settle down and raise their son.

But like most stories their happily ever after didn’t come easy. You’ll learn about that baby boy and his first years. Years Bob and Dreama spent trying to get answers to why their son wasn’t progressing and how they were told by a doctor to institutionalize him. Both had different reactions to that suggestion, but both were determined that would never happen.

Besides the stories of Colin, my favorite story was of their wedding in Vegas while staying at the Sahara. Dreama won money one night in the casino and even though they had already planned to get married, Bob would always tell everyone he had married her for money. All $750 of it!

There are stories about the casts of Bob’s numerous television shows, appearances and their plays together. I loved hearing that Russell Johnson was the sweetheart I always assumed he was. Did you know he was Purple Heart recipient? Stories of time spent with Dawn Wells and trips to the White House make for great reading.

However, as any good writer does, Dreama put me through all the emotions. She’s held nothing back in telling their story. Its all there. The good, the bad, the happy and the sad. I laughed, I hurt, I celebrated and I cried. I remember crying when I heard Bob had passed away and I cried when I read it in the book. I could feel Bob not wanting to leave and Dreama not wanting to let him go. I understood it, knew it was going to happen, and when it finally did, I cried.

This is book is excellent reading and I think anyone would enjoy it. Thank you Dreama for sharing Bob with us, giving us a glimpse of what an amazing life you both had together and for letting us get to know Colin and, of course, you better! I know Bob is looking down, smiling and thinking how proud he is of his Dreams.

[Kevin Miller]

Note, I read the latest version of this book.

Award-Winning author Dreama Denver’s memoir, “Gilligan’s Dreams: The Other Side of the Island” is a powerful emotional journey of her life with beloved TV icon, Bob Denver. Her writing style and voice are impeccable. I felt as if I was sitting on a sofa having an intimate conversation with a dear friend.

Dreama’s story is a story of love, perseverance, courage and overcoming the impossible. She pulls no punches and tells her life story with raw and honest detail. Her love story with her husband of 28 years is so very genuine. Not full of glamor or written through the eyes of idealism, but told truthfully. A story we can all relate to. Dreama and Bob’s passionate, volatile at times and eternal love for each other is a love for the ages.

The couple’s love for their autistic son, Colin is the ultimate example of a parent’s love for their child. There is nothing they would not do for their son. Even if it meant sacrificing their own love and lives to provide whatever their son needed. I was blown away by the depth of their devotion.

I was carried away by Ms. Denver’s descriptions and the sheer emotion and candidness of her story. It was very difficult not to shed a few tears along the way, and I did shed a few with a constant lump in my throat.
Having two daughters pursuing acting careers in Hollywood allowed me to relate to many of the aspects of Dreama’s career and experiences as a successful actress. I immensely enjoyed her behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood.

I highly recommend this book to readers from all walks of life. It is inspirational, emotional, and carries a message of hope and encouragement throughout its pages. It left me with the feeling of knowing ‘Dreams’ Denver on a personal level.

Emphatically a five-star work of art that is a must-read. And I loved the photos she shares!
Author Kevin D. Miller

[Penny Riquelmy]

Although I am an avid reader, I rarely post reviews of what I have read. For the most part I read mysteries, thrillers, adventures, those of favorite Southern writers, interspersed with the occasional re-read or first read of a classic and non-fiction books of interest. I have just completed reading Gilligan’s Dreams: The Other Side of the Island by Dreama Denver, wife of Bob Denver, who starred as Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island and as Maynard G. Krebs in The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. I have to say that this is the first non-fiction book that, had time been available, I could have read in one sitting.
In her book, Dreama Denver tells the poignant story of the love and devotion that she and Bob shared; the struggle of parenting and caring for their son, Colin, who has severe autism and a seizure disorder, and caring for Bob as he fought and lost his courageous battle with throat cancer and heart disease. Dreama tells this story with straightforwardness, as if she were a friend, sitting across the table from you. The take away from this book is that in the face of adversity, you can have hope and survive. Whether you are a caregiver or family member of a special needs child, or your spouse who is the love of your life, I implore you to please read this book. You will laugh, you will cry and you will be inspired.

[Lisa McCombs]

In this remarkable story, the widow of Bob Denver, a.k.a. Gilligan, shares an inspirational tale of her life with one of America's best-known television icons. Bob Denver as Gilligan from the 70's television hit Gilligan's Island, where he played a goofy yet loveable character that bounced his wit off fellow actors from the television sit-com to retrospective films on the big screen. Bob Denver's personal life was one of domestic unrest of which the public was never aware. Dreama Denver opens the door to the privacy of her husband's secret pains and conflicts in this moving story of overcoming the many wrenching details of their unknown hell. As the Denvers move across the nation and north to Canada in their quest to find a perfect living destination for their perfect love, Dreams stays positive amid the many obstacles thrown her way. A MUST read.

[Richard Battle]

Wow! When others stated Gilligan's Dreams would reveal unknown facets of Bob and Dreama Denver's lives; they weren't exaggerating.

I first enjoyed Bob Denver as Maynard G. Krebs in Dobie Gillis reruns and then thoroughly savored Gilligan's Island as one of the millions who did.

Dreama Denver's memoir of their lives is a must-read for Gilligan's fans and anyone facing life's toughest challenges or caretakers and family.

She masterfully relives their story in a way that puts each of us into every scene. Her openness, honesty, heart, and vulnerability reveal the humanity we seldom see in those we view as celebrities. Dreama writes a spellbinding page-turner that has us riding the ups and downs of their life and draws us closer to them at every step. If reading Gilligan's Dreams doesn't inspire you, I would suggest you check your pulse.

[Alona Perlin]

I can't say enough good words about this book. Dreama describes their son's illness very vividly. She also goes in depth about Bob's diagnosis and subsequent illness. The love between Bob and Dreama is evident and so touching. I'm so glad that he had such a wonderful advocate and supporter at the end of his life. I truly cried at the end of the book. I would have liked to have more information about their son, Colin and more about Bob's history, but all in all, this was a very good book. I couldn't wait to get back to it during breaks from reading. I work with individuals with disabilities and I am going to recommend it to the people in my office. Thank you Dreama!

[Kimberly Frost Pinkney]

First of all, I love the cleaver title with the double meaning. I met Dreama at a book signing event in Roanoke where I also had a table for my novel "Between Thorns and Glory". She was so friendly and kind. We immediately hit it off. I absolutely loved her book. Although heartbreaking, her open and talented descriptions brought me into her life, feeling her pain, loss, love, and joy. Thank you, Dreama, for sharing your life with all of us in such a beautiful and personal way. Dreama's forebearance, perseverance and loyalty are inspiring. I will always be rooting for you, Dreama.

[Shepherd Peace]

As a Special Education teacher this book has given me a great understanding of the personal, home life many of the families of my students have to deal with day in, day out, year after year.
As a Bob Denver fan, starting with Maynard, I will never be able to watch him on TV again the same way.
A great follow-up book to read “Gilligan, Maynard, & Me” by Bob Denver.
Christ Peace to Dreama and his children. Thank you for allowing us to get to know Bob and you all.

[Michael Birtchet]

It's a very heartfelt memoir that exposes the depth of Bob Denver's character that got buried under Maynard G. Krebs and Gilligan. Be forewarned: much of Dreama's story focuses on dealing with their son's autism and Bob's terrible, prolonged death from throat cancer. Still, Dreama proves to be an excellent storyteller, so its worth sticking out to the end.

[Lori]

I'm so glad that Dreama Denver wrote this book. As a parent of a severely autistic young man, I could relate to so much of what she wrote and gain courage from it. It can be lonely dealing with all the challenges that parenting a non-verbal child can bring, but Dreama talks about how she and Bob Denver were able to do it with a love and a sense of humor and build a beautiful family together.

[Jeanne Stephens]

This is a story of an amazing love. An actress and an actor, who meet, fall in love and life happily ever after- almost.
Dreama Denver is an upcoming beautiful actress who meets Bob Denver of Gilligan's island fame. They are starring together in a play. Their love story is beautiful. But that is only the beginning. They have a child together. Sounds perfect? Colin, their baby is developmentally delayed. This is the story of Bob and Dreama's extraordinary love for their child. They face many obstacles trying to help Colin have the best life he can.
What would cause most couples to split apart only drew Bob and Dreama closer together. This is the amazing story of their love and patience where Colin is concerned.
The book is fast paced, well written and heartwarming. You should read it to see an example of real love.
I never realized my Facebook friend Dreama Denver and I had so much in common. I too was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. My family moved to Florida before Disney World was built as well. She is an amazing woman and her story is worth reading!

[Marsha Necessary]

I snatched this book off the new books shelf at our library on Monday and finished it today. It was recommended to me by a parent in my autism support group and I have to say I think it is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. When my son was first diagnosed with autism it seemed all I did was cram my head with autism related material. So much so that I got to the point I was literally so tired of the subject I wondered if I'd ever pick up another book that even mentioned it. But I am so glad I did. This book is so much more than the story of two parents facing life with a special needs child, it is a sweet and poignant love story. I loved this book. Dreama Denver did a phenomenal job telling the story of her family's journey from Hollywood, to autism, to major illnesses, all with candor and all encompassing love. Wonderful book.

[Barbara Ballard]

I can't say enough about this beautiful love story about this atypical acting couple which traces their life from their first meeting and exciting early married years through the challenges of raising their autistic son and settling in the mountains of Dreama's home state of West Virginia. Dreama honestly takes you through the highs and lows of bravely coping with the trials she and Bob faced over their almost 30 year marriage. She is an inspiration to all who need to know that you
can come out to the other side of devastating circumstances with grace, renewed purpose, and strength. This story is also filled with much humor and many examples of Bob's integrity and strong character. You will discover that "Gilligan" had much more depth that you would ever imagine.
The Notebook has nothing on this true tale of unconditional love.

[Michiel]

I hate to give this only an OK rating because I think I would really like to know Dreama Denver. And when she tells her story, I feel like I'm sitting across the table from her.

Dreama Denver was the 4th wife of Bob Denver, and this is the story of their marriage together. It is full of love. What makes it a story is the hard times that the couple had for 20 years raising a severely autistic son.

Although I liked parts of the story, other parts were just too detailed. Dreama needed a good editor to tell her that all the chapters, blow by blow, of Bob's time in the hospital could have been reduced to one chapter of the highlights. Still, you can tell that she put her whole heart and soul into the writing of this book.

[Tonya Johnson]

Sweet love story

I was a fan of Bob Denver. His love for Dreama was evident in this book. All the struggles with their son and Mr Denver's health is detailed in here. God bless her