Review by: Laurel Johnson
Midwest Book review
Walt Disney was an American icon,
a purveyor of dreams, a man who proved that it truly "makes no difference
who you are". He was a midwestern boy with a gift that found life with
his first cartoon character, Mickey Mouse. Through the dark years of the American
depression, Walt's cartoon characters brought laughter, hope, and promise to
a country that had very little to dream about. Mickey was quickly followed by
Pluto, Donald Duck, Goofy, Snow White and her Seven Dwarves, Pinocchio and Jiminy
Cricket. The world lost Walt Disney to lung cancer in 1966. Supposedly he was
cremated, but rumors circulated and continue to persist that he was cryogenically
preserved until a cure for cancer could be found.
Larry Pontius takes that rumor and runs with it, and thereby hangs a tale.
Failed projects, modern problems, and mismanagement by men who lost sight of
Walt's original dream have brought the Disney Corp. to a serious predicament.
Several elderly men - Walt's secret Circle - know the time has come to activate
his resurrection. Disney HAS been cryogenically preserved and an as yet FDA
approved cure for cancer has been developed. When the old friends try to steal
ampules of the experimental cancer drug, one of them dies from the excitement
and the plan fails. On to Plan B of a very well-planned out return of Walt Disney
to life and power. Younger members join the inner circle. Walt is thawed, rejuvenated,
and the cancer treatment begins.
Waking Walt is a fun, exhilarating read. Mr. Pontius writes very well and creates
his story so plausibly that I had no problem whatsoever believing the fiction.
The characters were top notch, especially the cranky opinionated Walt Disney
who hides his Peter Pan-Jiminy Cricket heart under a gruff exterior. His Circle
of protectors and friends is an unlikely mix of quirky personalities. Their
devotion to Walt, his dream and its bright promise, was quite touching. And
in the end, everyone learns a fitting lesson, including Mr. Disney.
Nicely rendered resurrection, Mr. Pontius.
© copyright 2002 wakingwalt.com