The Kept Ones: The Fame Years

I have read all the DeBarge books which I have enjoyed. This latest installment has me stressed. I sincerely hope through the family's turmoil they have some element of happiness and peace. All families have some degree of dysfunction but the issues this family has endured gets deep within your soul. I found myself being judgemental of Bunny with regard to her decisions on her relationship with her husband but we tend to repeat what we learned in childhood. This book took me three days to complete and it was worth it. I look forward to volume 3 slated for December 2020. Wishing Bunny and the entire family well.

I grew up in the 80's so I have always been very familiar with this family's musical talents and have heard stories through the years of their downfall into drugs, with several individuals even serving prison sentences and of course the untimely death of the oldest brother, Bobby, due to Aids. However, I never knew the root of their troubled lives until I saw their story featured on the very first episode of the tv show, Unsung, back in 2008. After learning more about their story, I developed a renewed interest in the musical family, so much so that since then, I have read all of their books, starting with their mother's. After reading Bunny's 1st volume and later Tommy's and even Greg Williams of Switch (Bobby's and Tommy's childhood friend and later band mate) I've come to the conclusion that their mother is, for the lack of a better term, full of it. In my observation, it seems like Tommy's book was the most open and honest. However, Bunny's book seems to be more insightful, informative and broad. After finishing Greg's book, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Bunny had finished her 2nd volume, which I hurriedly purchased and finished in a couple of days. Again, this book did not disappoint. I was able to learn even more about the family dynamics, as well as the formation of the musical group "Debarge", the ultimate breakdown and demise of their careers and time in the spotlight, along with their personal struggles and spiral into drug addiction. In all, it was a pretty good read that I wasn't ready to close so I'm eagerly awaiting the next volume.

Wow! What didn’t happen with them? Their lives were crazy. I just can see how after suffering such abuse Bunny would allow it to happen to her daughters too. My heart truly goes out to them all. They suffered dearly at the hands of their parents abuse and neglect. They all need intensive therapy.On another note, the book was poorly edited. The subject-verb agreement was off, and the writing was a bit redundant. The same things were repeated over and over again which was uncalled for - I got the point the first time. If Bunny gets the right people behind her to edit and promote, there’s no reason or doubt she’d have a bestseller on her hands.

I cannot put this book down. You feel like you are with Bunny as she takes you on her lifes journey. You laugh with her, you cry with her and experience her highs and her lows. She is unapologetically honest. More honest then most people would be. But overall God gets the glory and this is what's so beautiful, how hes kept her and her family. God bless the Debarges, the kept ones. I highly recommend this book.

The book definitely needed some editing. Bunny has a tendency to preach a lot while telling her story. At times it felt more like a religious book other than an autobiography.If you're the religious type I guess that's ok but I found it to be a bit laborious at times.I was familiar with her abusive childhood but had no idea how drug addicted she was along with her husband. There's a heavy emphasis on drug usage and her brother Bobby. Even though there is a chapter on James and Janet Jackson, it is quite short. If you're a fan of DeBarge it's a must read. I just wish Bunny had not been so overly descriptive on mundane things and so short versed on more interesting matters.

Wow and Wow and more Wows- the book is phenomenal Bunny pulls you in with well-thought-out real-life narratives. I can't put the book down, it reminds me of the show Dynasty or All My Children back in the days you can't wait to find out what's next. This book, their life should be a movie with a producer/director who in-depth understands socio-cultural issues along with the United States concrete systemic/institutional racism practices for decades. Also, the movie should depict the colorism problem within black families its beginnings, and transgenerational unfortunate practice. Overall, a great read and my heart goes out to Bunny, RIP Bobby, and well wishes to the whole family. What a treasure the DeBarge family is I theorize there are certain aspects of Bunny's experience we can ALL relate to. THANK YOU BUNNY FOR BEING OPEN AND HONEST TO SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH US. *REMINDER TO THE LISTENING AUDIENCE; KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CHILDREN NO MATTER WHO IT IS FAVORITE BROTHER, UNCLE , AUNT, COUSINS , BEST FRIEND DOES NOT MATTER.