Customer Reviews

Dear Dad

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just recently purchased this book and must say that I really enjoyed Kymani's tell-it-like-it is truth! He tells his story with such great descriptive narrations that it felt like you were there with him reminiscing. Unfortunately, being a child out of wedlock and having a mega star Dad can have his ups and downs. Having "Marley" behind his name, didn't give Kymani the rights to the fruits and labor of the lavish life that his siblings lived growing up in the mansion. I sympathize with Kymani in the sense that he wasn't asked to be borned and yet he had to grow up fast in an environment he had no control over.

I loved Kymani's honesty, humor and love for his family. The only downside I had with this book is that he didn't include pictures of himself as a youth or through the years. That would of been cool

I just read the book and to me it is more than just a story of his growing up. I think it is a plea to his siblings to understand his point of view and move aside differences, view life going forward as grown ups they now are and live the life of one love their father lived by.

I totally relate to him in the sense that I too lost a parent at a very young age, and for the rest of our lives we think and fantasise about what our lives would be like, how it would be different had that parent being alive to see us through to adulthood.

Well done Ky-Mani. I love your story and I grew up in the same kind of poverty you did in Jamaica and saw that around me everywhere. Like you, I loved that childhood because there was always food and there was love. Honestly, I didn't even realise I was poor.

I completed the book in one evening, not only because the story is intersting but it was easy to read. It was written as if Ky-Mani was sitting across from me, telling me his story.

"Dear Dad" is a compelling story of boy who grew to be a man, struggling through life in the rural countryside of Jamaica, then the mean streets of Miami, Florida. The son of musical and social icon, Bob Marley, Ky-mani Marley's book gives us an inside look at the Marley family trials and tribulations. The book outlines how not all of the Marley children were supported in a way that Bob would have most certainly wanted. Its a compelling read and I would highly recommend this book to all Marley fans.


So Jah seh,
"Not one of my seeds
Shall sit in the sidewalk
And beg your bread."
(No, they can't and you know that they won't!)
"And verily, verily, I'm saying unto thee, 'I
Inite oneself and love Imanity.'"
'Cause puss and dog they get together:
What's wrong with loving one another?
Puss and dog they get together:
What's wrong with you my brother?
-Bob Marley


I am my momma's son
you are your father's child
sometimes we act as if we hate each other
A different fate, a different state of mind
That don't mean we all can't be satisfied
WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS......
-Ziggy Marley

I purchase this book in the hope of learning something about the "Marley Family". I was not disappointed; family is family they will bring you down faster than a stranger. I love the fact that Ky-Mani was very honest. I could feel his hurt coming thur the pages. He really went thur hard times and struggles to be the man that he is now. He has the power to change his situation(and he did) from something negative to something positive. Ky-Mani just know; Your father is your angel and he is watching over you all the time. Remember, he got your back! I hope that when everything is said and done he gets his inheritance because he is his father's son. Blood is thicker than water. Rita needs to stop and check herself she has two children that's not Bob's. So, where is the blood line there? Give Ky-Mani his money.

4 stars because there was no photos!!!!
It's a good read. I like it a lot!!
Pick up a copy......

Ky-Mani Marley wrote what is a combination of his auto-biography, personal struggle, and family grievances in his book. Ky-Mani was the son of musical icon Bob Marley, but was born from an extra-marital affair, so he was not the son of Rita Marley. At the time of his father's untimely passing, he was left to a lifetime of poverty in the slums of Falmouth, almost completely disregarded by the riches that were a portion of his father's estate. Because of the adults in their lives, the children of Marley did not have the opportunity to strengthen the bonds of the sibling unity that Ky-Mani feels that they could have had their father still been alive.
He provides the reader with a comprehensive view of his life, where he grew up with his maternal family emphasizing the rich bond that they had, though they may have been cash poor. Ky-Mani makes a plea to his Marley family to keep in mind the bond that they have in common - their deceased,beloved father and to shed the political ties that have restricted them from forging a familial bond that lasts unconditionally. He feels very much like the Black Sheep of the family, determined to make his own way, refusing to bow down to the pressures placed on him, and deal with the hand that the card game of life has dealt him.
Marley's life story is amazing in that he was so open about his background. He was born in Jamaica, residing in Falmouth. He moves to Florida around the age of 7 and strongly feels as if his family was better off back in their native land despite having no indoor plumbing, bathroom, or kitchen facilities when he was home. Their family settled nicely into the slums of Miami and he picked up on all that was negative and illegal nearly immediately, he was selling drugs before most children can write in cursive. This led to a start on life that no one would imagine would have been that of the son of The Gong nor the start of one who would go on to prosper enormously in his musical endeavors.
Some would say that Ky-Mani is airing dirty family laundry, but it is necessary. He has romanticized the ideal version of his father to some extent, but don't we all. All that was good. All that was positive. All that was charitable. All that was IRIE... Marley wants for he and his siblings to all pull together and carry on the awesome legacy for the foundation which was laid for them to take it to the next level.


SHICA ROBINSON
AAMBC Reviewer

I'm glad he wrote the book. I just can't understand why Rita stayed with a man who had all those kids by other women. A child is inocent so don't take it out on them or their mother's. Bob Marley just loved women. If I was Rita she should have found love herself. But those are his kids.. HELP THEM

I thought this was a well thought out and honest book. It verified what I suspected for years! Keep on with the positivity, and you will reap the rewards!

Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down! It was very "REAL". I found it entertaining as well as informative. I love Ky-Mani and was intrigued to learn so much about his life. This is a purchase you will not regret!

Didn't buy the book but lent it from the public library. Just as well, I found it highly repetitive, lots of attitude and not much in way of content. Can only hear so many times how much a man loves his mother. The parts where the writer speaks about growing up in poverty in JA is illuminating, but this is only redeeming feature.

This book really gave me a clear cut understanding of Ky mani's journey thru life and his past. He is 1 of the many Marley sons; and he has stood out to me ever since Shottas. I knew his upbringing was one that was drastically different from his brothers and the book examines his path in a way that will really leave you as a fan of Ky mani. Life is a battle, Ky mani did not reap the benefits early in his life of being a "Marley" as oppose to stephen,ziggy,etc,,.After this read, you will be cheering for the self referred "Black sheep" but in my opinion; Ky-mani is the underdog that reigns champion in the journey through Life!!!! Black Sheep/Underdog turned Golden child of Bob Marley....