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Dreams in Incarceration
Inspired by real-life events, ‘Dreams in Incarceration’ is a hyper-visual exploration of the physical and psychological battles that former gang member David Spivey faced during his 15 year incarceration in California’s deadliest prisons.
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 4, 2024
Inspired by the real story of David Spivey, a former gang member from California that spent 15 years in incarceration in California’s deadliest prisons.
This isn’t my typical genre, but when Cillian reached out to me about this book, something caught my interest. It might have been the psychological torment and horror he highlighted within the story. Although I was initially hesitant since I usually avoid true crime and prefer fictional horror, this book didn’t dwell on the crimes themselves but rather on the person behind them. This approach wasn’t meant to downplay the nature of the crimes, but to emphasise that there’s a person behind the criminal acts. Cillian met David and crafted this memoir based on a series of interviews.
I found myself engrossed by David’s story. While his actions were inexcusable, delving into his deepest thoughts and understanding the obstacles he faced was truly fascinating. The book illustrates how easily individuals can be drawn into gang culture and provides a compelling insight into prison life.
“I was happy to leave the yard after that. We were all hardened criminals but violence was violence. It was always going to send a shiver up your spine and it was what you did with that feeling that defined you.”
If you like to read about:
✔️Memoirs
✔️Psychological reflection
✔️Californias prisons
✔️True crime
✔️Gang culture
Then check this out!
This isn’t my typical genre, but when Cillian reached out to me about this book, something caught my interest. It might have been the psychological torment and horror he highlighted within the story. Although I was initially hesitant since I usually avoid true crime and prefer fictional horror, this book didn’t dwell on the crimes themselves but rather on the person behind them. This approach wasn’t meant to downplay the nature of the crimes, but to emphasise that there’s a person behind the criminal acts. Cillian met David and crafted this memoir based on a series of interviews.
I found myself engrossed by David’s story. While his actions were inexcusable, delving into his deepest thoughts and understanding the obstacles he faced was truly fascinating. The book illustrates how easily individuals can be drawn into gang culture and provides a compelling insight into prison life.
“I was happy to leave the yard after that. We were all hardened criminals but violence was violence. It was always going to send a shiver up your spine and it was what you did with that feeling that defined you.”
If you like to read about:
✔️Memoirs
✔️Psychological reflection
✔️Californias prisons
✔️True crime
✔️Gang culture
Then check this out!
June 29, 2024
Dreams In Incarceration is the memoir of David Spivey, a former gang member from LA who spent 13 years in prison for murder and attempted murder. His story is written by Cillian Dunne, with whom he developed a friendship after his release.
Spivey went through numerous harrowing experiences in his life, which are chronicled in his memoir. His path to freedom was long and daunting, and throughout his years in at least three prisons in California, his will power to stay on the right path was constantly tested. Once he decided that he wanted to pursue his unlikely parole, there was nothing that could stop him, despite his having to go against prison code among his fellow prisoners.
Within his memoir are the dreams -- more like nightmares -- that Spivey experienced over his years in prison...dreams that scared and horrified him and motivated him to change.
The losses that Spivey faced while in prison were multiple and horrific; the fact that he left prison and became a motivational speaker and mental health counselor is testimony to his desire to not only change lives, but to change others.
Spivey went through numerous harrowing experiences in his life, which are chronicled in his memoir. His path to freedom was long and daunting, and throughout his years in at least three prisons in California, his will power to stay on the right path was constantly tested. Once he decided that he wanted to pursue his unlikely parole, there was nothing that could stop him, despite his having to go against prison code among his fellow prisoners.
Within his memoir are the dreams -- more like nightmares -- that Spivey experienced over his years in prison...dreams that scared and horrified him and motivated him to change.
The losses that Spivey faced while in prison were multiple and horrific; the fact that he left prison and became a motivational speaker and mental health counselor is testimony to his desire to not only change lives, but to change others.
Read
June 23, 2024David Spivey: Convicted killer, gang member, inmate, murderer, criminal.
David Spivey: Son, brother, friend, motivational speaker, mental health professional.
It just takes a moment for lives to shatter. One decision to break families and futures. Through Cillian, David shares his story of childhood, gang life and the realities of daily prison living. Although it was many choices that led him to prison, he starts to realize that choices and moments can change his life for the better. His determination and positive actions eventually grant him parole and a chance to do good.
David Spivey: Son, brother, friend, motivational speaker, mental health professional.
It just takes a moment for lives to shatter. One decision to break families and futures. Through Cillian, David shares his story of childhood, gang life and the realities of daily prison living. Although it was many choices that led him to prison, he starts to realize that choices and moments can change his life for the better. His determination and positive actions eventually grant him parole and a chance to do good.
February 10, 2024
I probably shouldn’t have enjoyed this book as much as I did considering this is a debut book from a very young Author.. But I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and most impressed at Dunne’s ability to distill 15 years of Spivey’s chaotic life into a comprehensive yet manageable story.
Each character we meet is well developed and the pacing of the book (setting the scene of the various prisons, introducing new characters and building towards key storylines) is what kept me reading. He did this multiple times without ever feeling repetitive.
Interestingly, The most chaotic prison scenes were followed by detailed (and terrifying) deep dives into Spivey’s subconscious mind, as the Author manifests the nightmares that plague the characters guilty conscience for crimes committed as a teenager.
This is where Dunne proves his most creative, displaying some beautiful pros. The inclusion of these chapters also provided a necessary break from the prisons brutality - which was savage in its description and I feel the reader is offered enough time to digest this savagery and it’s impact on each characters story during these interludes.
The book mentions the Author interviewed Spivey for a month before putting pen to paper. It’s in these scenes that Dunne reveals he did his homework.
To wrap up the review I’m definitely humbled by the quality work that some of these young Authors are producing - especially since I tend to go off hype and big named Authors when deciding on a new book!
I’m definitely more open to new Authors now and plan on reading Dunne’s next book, which I’ve no doubt will build off the very strong foundation he’s already displayed.
Give it a read! 5 ⭐️
*Edit*
I’ve since realised he has several other books so this is not his debut, but does not impact my rating.
Each character we meet is well developed and the pacing of the book (setting the scene of the various prisons, introducing new characters and building towards key storylines) is what kept me reading. He did this multiple times without ever feeling repetitive.
Interestingly, The most chaotic prison scenes were followed by detailed (and terrifying) deep dives into Spivey’s subconscious mind, as the Author manifests the nightmares that plague the characters guilty conscience for crimes committed as a teenager.
This is where Dunne proves his most creative, displaying some beautiful pros. The inclusion of these chapters also provided a necessary break from the prisons brutality - which was savage in its description and I feel the reader is offered enough time to digest this savagery and it’s impact on each characters story during these interludes.
The book mentions the Author interviewed Spivey for a month before putting pen to paper. It’s in these scenes that Dunne reveals he did his homework.
To wrap up the review I’m definitely humbled by the quality work that some of these young Authors are producing - especially since I tend to go off hype and big named Authors when deciding on a new book!
I’m definitely more open to new Authors now and plan on reading Dunne’s next book, which I’ve no doubt will build off the very strong foundation he’s already displayed.
Give it a read! 5 ⭐️
*Edit*
I’ve since realised he has several other books so this is not his debut, but does not impact my rating.
July 28, 2024
Book Review - Dreams in Incarceration by Cillian Dunne is available on Amazon.
As children, we grow up saying that we want to be something along the lines of a fireman, an astronaut, a lawyer, etc. One would assume that at no point in our youths do we say that we want to be involved in gangs, drugs, and criminal activity. There are many choices in life that lead us on a certain path that diverge into success or failure. Those paths may result in having a successful business, serving the public, being a school teacher or you may end up as a criminal serving jail time. Regardless of our choices and the path that we set ourselves on, we have the capacity to learn and change. Such was the case for David Spivey, a former gang member that was incarcerated for 15 years in California, for murdering a rival gang member when he was 17 years old.
The story of incarceration, follows the harrowing tale of David’s life while in prison. The author, Cillian Dunne, wonderfully captures the nightmarish brutality of the everyday horrors of a long prison sentence. We often see depictions of what that life may look like in movies or TV shows, but nothing compares to the deep dive in capturing the mind of an incarcerated individual. While, this is by no means a comparison, I can remember my first days and weeks of joining the military and having every action dictated as to when I could eat, shower, use the restroom, etc. and one wrong infraction could mean the difference between punishing physical activity or the joy of reading my mail. Again, this is a weak comparison to prison life, but I remember thinking many times, “what have I done”.
While this book is not for the weak of heart and is assuredly a tough read, I’ll admit I took several days to digest this book before I could write an honest review. I was completely moved by Mr. Spivey’s story and his ability to take a deep look inward and assess who he wanted to become. He made difficult and hard choices but changed his path for good and was granted early parole, where he continues to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
As children, we grow up saying that we want to be something along the lines of a fireman, an astronaut, a lawyer, etc. One would assume that at no point in our youths do we say that we want to be involved in gangs, drugs, and criminal activity. There are many choices in life that lead us on a certain path that diverge into success or failure. Those paths may result in having a successful business, serving the public, being a school teacher or you may end up as a criminal serving jail time. Regardless of our choices and the path that we set ourselves on, we have the capacity to learn and change. Such was the case for David Spivey, a former gang member that was incarcerated for 15 years in California, for murdering a rival gang member when he was 17 years old.
The story of incarceration, follows the harrowing tale of David’s life while in prison. The author, Cillian Dunne, wonderfully captures the nightmarish brutality of the everyday horrors of a long prison sentence. We often see depictions of what that life may look like in movies or TV shows, but nothing compares to the deep dive in capturing the mind of an incarcerated individual. While, this is by no means a comparison, I can remember my first days and weeks of joining the military and having every action dictated as to when I could eat, shower, use the restroom, etc. and one wrong infraction could mean the difference between punishing physical activity or the joy of reading my mail. Again, this is a weak comparison to prison life, but I remember thinking many times, “what have I done”.
While this book is not for the weak of heart and is assuredly a tough read, I’ll admit I took several days to digest this book before I could write an honest review. I was completely moved by Mr. Spivey’s story and his ability to take a deep look inward and assess who he wanted to become. He made difficult and hard choices but changed his path for good and was granted early parole, where he continues to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
June 26, 2024
David Spivey is a former inmate and member of the notorious Crip gang in LA. When Spivey was 17 years old, he murdered an 18-year-old member of a rival gang in 2006 during a turf war. Spivey has since turned his life around and is currently a motivational speaker. Cillian Dunne tells Spivey’s story. First of all, I would like to encourage the reader to go all the way through the book. Research David Spivey for yourself and ask questions. The amount of time, research, patience, understanding and pure heart that it took from all parties involved is mind blowing. It is easy to google a prison sentence. It is easy to follow the news. To know and to understand the journey that someone like David Spivey is often unheard of and not written or spoken of. There are several players in the game of life and how one acts and interacts with them changes that individual’s future. Life in LA in 2006, gang violence, growing up, how to handle the battles inside of prison – those are not always accurately portrayed in made for tv movies. This is unlike anything I have ever read before and it makes me wonder, if we all took time to understand each other like Dunne did with Spivey, how would that change the outlook of our future?
June 2, 2024
Thank you to @dunne.cillian for providing me with a copy of this book.
All thoughts are my own.
This is an incredibly interesting read that is inspired by real-life events. While the topic is hard and difficult, the author breaks it down in a digestible way. I found myself sympathizing with Spivey along the way and rooting for him. I do wish that there was a little more depth for certain things. I felt that the author knew what he was talking about because he had researched it so well, that he missed that the reader might not be as familiar as him, so I was left wondering for a few things that I wished I wasn’t. I also wish we could have gotten more information on Spivey’s childhood or early days, what lead him to the gang so to speak. Now, the author most definitely did his research, and that came through on the pages and was obvious. I enjoyed reading about his time while being incarnated. It was most certainly eye opening. I was slightly torn with feeling sympathetic toward Spivey and knowing that prison is a punishment, but that is an interesting question that the book makes you ponder.
All thoughts are my own.
This is an incredibly interesting read that is inspired by real-life events. While the topic is hard and difficult, the author breaks it down in a digestible way. I found myself sympathizing with Spivey along the way and rooting for him. I do wish that there was a little more depth for certain things. I felt that the author knew what he was talking about because he had researched it so well, that he missed that the reader might not be as familiar as him, so I was left wondering for a few things that I wished I wasn’t. I also wish we could have gotten more information on Spivey’s childhood or early days, what lead him to the gang so to speak. Now, the author most definitely did his research, and that came through on the pages and was obvious. I enjoyed reading about his time while being incarnated. It was most certainly eye opening. I was slightly torn with feeling sympathetic toward Spivey and knowing that prison is a punishment, but that is an interesting question that the book makes you ponder.
May 28, 2024
This book was incredibly well written and tackles an incredibly tough topic.
This book tells the story of David Spivey, a former gang member and murderer who served his time in prison for his crimes. He spent every day trying to be the best he could be and was able to find purpose and reform his life.
There is a little bit of information about Dave's childhood days, but the book mostly follows his period of time in incarceration. He is forced to navigate the prison world with tragic and violent things happening around him daily. He was often torn between keeping his head down while also maintaining respect. In prison, loyalty is everything.
This was a tough topic, and I thought the author did a fantastic job handling all aspects of the subject with compassion, dignity and understanding.
This book tells the story of David Spivey, a former gang member and murderer who served his time in prison for his crimes. He spent every day trying to be the best he could be and was able to find purpose and reform his life.
There is a little bit of information about Dave's childhood days, but the book mostly follows his period of time in incarceration. He is forced to navigate the prison world with tragic and violent things happening around him daily. He was often torn between keeping his head down while also maintaining respect. In prison, loyalty is everything.
This was a tough topic, and I thought the author did a fantastic job handling all aspects of the subject with compassion, dignity and understanding.
December 17, 2024
I didn’t know what to expect before picking up Dreams in Incarceration, but Dunne’s raw, vivid storytelling blew me away. The book pulls you into Dave Spivey’s life—an LA gang member turned prisoner for 13 years. The surreal, haunting dream sequences add a splash of horror, making this more than just a prison story. It’s about choices, redemption, and the shadows we carry.
October 14, 2023
This author is a BEAST. His commitment to real journalism is unmatched and I think he’ll win an Oscar one day ,
March 14, 2024
“Dreams in Incarceration” is a masterfully crafted narrative that delves into the depths of the human spirit within the confines of incarceration. Dunne’s prose is both poignant and evocative, painting vivid portraits of characters navigating the complexities of confinement, redemption, and the pursuit of dreams. Through lyrical storytelling and rich character development, Dunne invites readers into a world where hope and despair coexist, ultimately leaving a profound impact long after the final page is turned. This poignant exploration of the human experience behind bars is a must-read for anyone seeking insight into the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of dreams.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews