The Incredible True Story of Blondy Baruti

March 15, 2018
An inspiring true story about the power of hope, optimism, and grit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.In his debut, former college basketball player and actor Baruti candidly chronicles his eventful life, from his poverty-laced childhood in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo to his unlikely ascent starring in Guardians of the Galaxy 2. The author begins with some cursory information about his genealogy before plunging into his family's flight from their home and struggle to survive the horrific violence of civil war, all before the author was 10 years old. When the violence in the country became somewhat tolerable, his family settled in Kinshasa, where Baruti developed an obsession with basketball. He secured a scholarship to a prep school in America, but things went awry due to a self-interested distant cousin in the States, culture shock, an unsympathetic coach, and the ever looming threat of an invalid visa. Suspense builds as Baruti chronicles how he navigated the labyrinthine protocol of U.S. immigration law and the effect it had on his ability to play college basketball in his new home. But that was only one of the many hurdles that could have dashed his dreams at any moment. All of this drama unfolds in short, snappy chapters, and the author's voice is friendly, clear, and direct. Much of the book centers on his love of basketball, but one needn't be a sports fan to enjoy the book. Baruti's optimism is so infectious and believable that readers can't help but root for him; what may seem like naïve optimism masks an intelligent, steadfast, and defiant unwillingness to give up, no matter the odds. The author suffered countless setbacks on his journey. Consequently, by the time he makes it to Hollywood and lands a small role in a major film, readers will feel a palpable sense of triumph.A moving, genuinely uplifting tale that highlights how resilient the human spirit can be.

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Starred review from April 1, 2018
Baruti, an actor who made his mark playing a villain in Guardians of the Galaxy v. 2, chronicles his path to the silver screen. Baruti was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 1990s as a brutal civil war raged. Eventually, rebels raided Baruti's village, Goma, forcing him and his family to flee on foot and make a months-long trek to relatives in the capital, Kinshasa. Emotionally scarred by the traumatic journey, Baruti keeps to himself until he discovers a love of basketball, which ignites a desire to play professionally in the U.S. Baruti works hard towards his goal and achieves it when he gains admittance to a private school in America. But a mercenary cousin makes trouble for Baruti, jeopardizing his visa. An injury while in college dashes Baruti's dreams of playing in the NBA, but he finds a new love in the theater, moves to Los Angeles after graduation, and books a role in a pilot, thus launching his acting career. What shines through here is Baruti's good heart, persistence, and absolute unwillingness to give up on his dreams despite repeated setbacks. His remarkable journey and his courage are inspiring and aspirational.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)