Review

Showcasing Literary Excellence
Reviewed by Janet Elaine Smith

If you are a “snowbird” and your plans for the winter will take you to Florida, you have to read the thriller, Waking Walt, by newcomer author Larry Pontius. It will make your visit to Walt Disney World like nothing you ever imagined.

The premise of Waking Walt is that a small group of Walt Disney’s closest associates—known as The Circle—helped the beloved creative genius escape death and that his cancer-ridden body never made it to Forest Lawn. Instead, Walt was placed in a cryogenic state, waiting for a miracle.

Now, 40 years later, a cure has been found for the very type of lung cancer that supposedly caused Walt’s demise. In addition, there is trouble afoot at the Disney Company, which could destroy America’s favorite family entertainment empire.

Across the country, Harry Poole is living a very meager existence when he receives a phone call that will change his life. He is summoned to California, after learning that he has inherited his Uncle Arthur Nolan’s very sizable estate. Uncle Arthur was as eccentric a character as Walt; he was a doctor years earlier, and he seemed to have almost dropped off the face of the earth. He was, however, in on the secret revolving around Walt’s freezing process.

As The Circle is once again reunited, Harry finds himself in the middle of the craziest characters he’s ever met, and part of their attempt to save Walt Disney —and his company.

This is one of the most imaginative books to come out in a long time. The characters are delightful; even if you don’t like some of them, you have to admire the depth Pontius brought to the drawing table in painting their portraits. You will never view Mickey Mouse, or any other Disney character, the same again.

In light of recent developments, which include the resignation of Walt Disney’s nephew from the board of directors of the Walt Disney Company and the possible departure of the CEO, Michael Eisner, it makes one wonder if Pontius was perhaps a bit psychic. He’s a former Disney executive.

back to main menu