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Ponder: A Novel
A darkly comic tale of love and loss in Walt Disney World at the turn of the millennium
Murray “Cheese” Marks and John Apple, his slimmer, richer, more single friend, have chosen the happiest place on Earth for their annual boys’ trip. Disney World may seem like a strange choice for two grown men on a glorified binge-drinking trip; it is. But Cheese has never been, and his wife allows him this expense-free trip.
The Magic Kingdom was the last place John saw his parents before they died in a plane crash. John Apple was twelve then and wanted to return before he turned thirty.
Cheese and John’s buddy-comedy turns into a love-triangle drama when they meet a beautiful, free-spirited southern Belle named Virginia. John and Cheese quickly fall in love—but Virginia’s parents inexplicably push her not toward the handsome, single millionaire, but toward Cheese. And Cheese can’t help but encourage it—at least until his wife and John’s ex descend on Florida.
Ponder is the second novel from Daniel Roberts, author of the USA Today bestselling Bar Maid, and showcases the same sardonic style that Kirkus praised as “old-school, slightly surreal humor [that] has a dash of Barthelme or Perelman.”
Murray “Cheese” Marks and John Apple, his slimmer, richer, more single friend, have chosen the happiest place on Earth for their annual boys’ trip. Disney World may seem like a strange choice for two grown men on a glorified binge-drinking trip; it is. But Cheese has never been, and his wife allows him this expense-free trip.
The Magic Kingdom was the last place John saw his parents before they died in a plane crash. John Apple was twelve then and wanted to return before he turned thirty.
Cheese and John’s buddy-comedy turns into a love-triangle drama when they meet a beautiful, free-spirited southern Belle named Virginia. John and Cheese quickly fall in love—but Virginia’s parents inexplicably push her not toward the handsome, single millionaire, but toward Cheese. And Cheese can’t help but encourage it—at least until his wife and John’s ex descend on Florida.
Ponder is the second novel from Daniel Roberts, author of the USA Today bestselling Bar Maid, and showcases the same sardonic style that Kirkus praised as “old-school, slightly surreal humor [that] has a dash of Barthelme or Perelman.”
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2024
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Roberts
222 books10 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 8, 2024
Murray “Cheese” Marks and John Apple are best friends who decide to go on a guys' trip to Walt Disney World, the happiest place on earth. John is single, and Cheese is married. What was supposed to be a trip of revisited memories and binge drinking turned into a love triangle drama fest thanks to the beautiful Virginia. Instead of falling for John, she falls for Cheese, persuaded by her family. If that wasn’t enough, Cheese’s wife makes a surprise visit, and she now encounters the “relationship” between Virginia and Cheese, not to mention the friendship between him and John, which is jeopardized at the seams.
Daniel Roberts does it again by writing an exciting, dramatic, old-school story filled with surreal humor. I loved Bar Maid and could not get enough of Ponder. Every chapter you turn introduces a new plot twist and a love triangle that keeps the reader invested and wanting to read the entire book in one sitting. The characters, setting, climax, imagery, and theme are so enticing and captivating that my heart was racing, wondering what would happen to Cheese, John, Virginia, and the rest of the crew. Adding the Walt Disney World element to the story added an extra layer of brilliance that was hard to resist. This book is worth reading multiple times. The book was exceptionally well-edited, written, and structured. I recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a read that will bring excitement. For these reasons, awarding this book five stars is a no-brainer.
Daniel Roberts does it again by writing an exciting, dramatic, old-school story filled with surreal humor. I loved Bar Maid and could not get enough of Ponder. Every chapter you turn introduces a new plot twist and a love triangle that keeps the reader invested and wanting to read the entire book in one sitting. The characters, setting, climax, imagery, and theme are so enticing and captivating that my heart was racing, wondering what would happen to Cheese, John, Virginia, and the rest of the crew. Adding the Walt Disney World element to the story added an extra layer of brilliance that was hard to resist. This book is worth reading multiple times. The book was exceptionally well-edited, written, and structured. I recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a read that will bring excitement. For these reasons, awarding this book five stars is a no-brainer.
June 8, 2025
Ponder is unlike anything I’ve read this year. Imagine Hunter S. Thompson meets Nick Hornby at Epcot, and you’ll begin to grasp the delightfully strange territory this novel inhabits. Daniel Roberts turns Walt Disney World, a place of saccharine family fun, into the perfect backdrop for a downward-spiral-meets-romantic-farce involving booze, unresolved trauma, and one very intriguing southern Belle.
What truly struck me about Ponder is its tone. It’s deeply funny there are scenes involving drunken rides on Dumbo and philosophical debates in front of animatronic presidents that had me cackling but it’s also surprisingly introspective. Roberts writes with emotional intelligence beneath the layers of irony. You come for the laughs but stay for the unexpectedly moving meditations on loss, loneliness, and the illusion of adulthood.
Cheese and John are a classic odd couple, but their dynamic never feels forced. Their friendship is believable, messy, and often heartbreaking in its realism. The novel takes some daring tonal swings, especially when the women from their pasts crash the party, but Roberts navigates it all with remarkable control and grace.
This isn’t just a book about men behaving badly. It’s a book about how men cope with pain badly and how, sometimes, the most ridiculous settings are where we find the clearest glimpses of truth.
What truly struck me about Ponder is its tone. It’s deeply funny there are scenes involving drunken rides on Dumbo and philosophical debates in front of animatronic presidents that had me cackling but it’s also surprisingly introspective. Roberts writes with emotional intelligence beneath the layers of irony. You come for the laughs but stay for the unexpectedly moving meditations on loss, loneliness, and the illusion of adulthood.
Cheese and John are a classic odd couple, but their dynamic never feels forced. Their friendship is believable, messy, and often heartbreaking in its realism. The novel takes some daring tonal swings, especially when the women from their pasts crash the party, but Roberts navigates it all with remarkable control and grace.
This isn’t just a book about men behaving badly. It’s a book about how men cope with pain badly and how, sometimes, the most ridiculous settings are where we find the clearest glimpses of truth.
June 12, 2025
Daniel Roberts’ Ponder is a wildly original, darkly comic gem that gleefully defies expectations. At its surface, the plot two middle-aged men heading to Disney World for a booze-soaked escape might sound absurd. But Roberts masterfully weaves humor, heartbreak, and nostalgia into something much deeper: a meditation on grief, midlife regret, and the complicated terrain of male friendship. The protagonist, Cheese Marks, is hilariously flawed and deeply human. His dynamic with John Apple the charismatic, wealthy friend haunted by past tragedy feels authentic and layered. The arrival of Virginia, a Southern belle with her own cryptic motivations, adds emotional volatility and romantic intrigue that keeps the pages turning. I laughed out loud, I felt a pang of loss, and by the end, I was fully invested in these characters and their odd, unforgettable journey. This book manages to balance wit and melancholy in a way that feels reminiscent of Jonathan Tropper or early John Irving. Highly recommended.
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December 2, 2024Daniel Roberts' Ponder is a thoughtful and deeply engaging exploration of the human experience, blending philosophy, psychology, and storytelling into a narrative that both challenges and inspires. Roberts has a unique ability to distill complex ideas into accessible and relatable reflections, making this book a treasure trove for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of life and self.
The prose is both poetic and clear, inviting readers to pause and truly absorb the insights shared. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a wise and empathetic friend, leaving you with new perspectives to ponder long after you've turned the final page.
Whether you're embarking on a personal journey of growth or simply enjoy contemplative reads, Ponder is a compelling and rewarding addition to your bookshelf. Roberts' ability to merge depth with approachability makes this a standout work in its genre. Highly recommended!
The prose is both poetic and clear, inviting readers to pause and truly absorb the insights shared. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a wise and empathetic friend, leaving you with new perspectives to ponder long after you've turned the final page.
Whether you're embarking on a personal journey of growth or simply enjoy contemplative reads, Ponder is a compelling and rewarding addition to your bookshelf. Roberts' ability to merge depth with approachability makes this a standout work in its genre. Highly recommended!
June 12, 2025
Ponder is a brilliantly offbeat, darkly funny, and surprisingly heartfelt novel that sneaks up on you in the most delightful way. Daniel Roberts uses a seemingly absurd premise a grown-up Disney World trip between old friends as a springboard to explore loss, loyalty, and what it means to grow into (or out of) your relationships. Cheese, our unlikely narrator, is beautifully flawed and deeply human. His friendship with John Apple is central and written with such honesty that it feels pulled from real life. Virginia’s arrival adds tension and nuance, making this a love triangle unlike any other. Roberts has a knack for balancing satire with tenderness, never letting the humor undermine the emotional core. His writing reminds me of Tom Perrotta or even early Michael Chabon there’s something dazzling about how he renders the absurdities of life while honoring their emotional truth. Ponder is quirky, smart, and richly rewarding.
June 12, 2025
What begins as a zany vacation tale in Ponder quickly reveals itself to be a nuanced exploration of grief, friendship, and the complexity of desire. Daniel Roberts is a master at misdirection he lures the reader in with irreverent humor and absurd situations, then gently peels back the emotional layers with grace. Cheese is the perfect unreliable narrator, and watching his insecurities and moral dilemmas unfold is a poignant experience. John Apple, by contrast, is both enviable and pitiable, a man haunted by memory and driven by longing. Virginia disrupts their dynamic in unpredictable and affecting ways. Roberts paints every character with depth and empathy, even as the story dips into farcical territory. The writing is tight, clever, and occasionally jaw-droppingly profound. Few books walk the line between satire and sincerity so well. Ponder is a heartfelt comedy that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.
June 12, 2025
In Ponder, Daniel Roberts spins gold out of a bizarre scenario: a Disney World getaway filled with beer, buried trauma, and bewildering romantic entanglements. Yet somehow, against all odds, it works and then some. This is a novel that embraces its weirdness and turns it into something poignant. Cheese’s internal monologue is both hilarious and insightful; he’s not a perfect man, but he’s trying, and that struggle is endlessly compelling. John Apple brings a tragic sophistication to the story, while Virginia far from being a plot device becomes the spark that forces every character to reckon with their past. Roberts writes with wicked humor and a big heart, making the absurd feel meaningful. The themes of aging, regret, and trying to recapture lost wonder are beautifully rendered. Ponder is equal parts joyride and soul-search. It might make you laugh on one page and tear up on the next. A rare find.
June 12, 2025
Ponder is a glorious mess of midlife crises, misplaced affection, and surreal emotional detours, all wrapped in razor-sharp prose. Daniel Roberts takes the reader on a wild ride through the contradictions of adulthood, using the absurdity of Disney World as a metaphor for broken expectations and repressed dreams. Cheese is as hilarious as he is heartbreaking, and his dynamic with John Apple crackles with tension and history. Virginia is not your average manic pixie dream girl she’s complex, enigmatic, and undeniably real. This book reminds me of the best work of Richard Russo or Noah Hawley, with a touch of Coen brothers weirdness. It’s literary fiction with a dark comedy soul. Roberts knows when to press the laugh button and when to pull the emotional thread. If you’ve ever wondered whether your youth slipped away while you weren’t looking, Ponder will speak to you and make you laugh out loud in the process.
June 12, 2025
Daniel Roberts proves himself a master of emotional contradiction in Ponder, a novel that manages to be deeply funny and unflinchingly sad in equal measure. Cheese and John’s trip to Disney World is more than a nostalgic escape it’s a reckoning. The ghosts of the past, unspoken grievances, and unresolved feelings all surface in ways both dramatic and subtle. Roberts’ prose is stylish but unpretentious, packed with sharp insights and laugh-out-loud turns of phrase. The novel’s love triangle is unconventional, awkward, and full of quiet devastation. Virginia’s arc is especially well handled she’s more than a romantic pawn; she’s a force of narrative disruption, forcing all the men around her to reveal themselves. Roberts treats his characters with empathy, even when they behave badly. There’s so much emotional truth buried in the comedy here. Ponder is a remarkable novel funny, smart, and wise. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time.
June 21, 2025
We picked Ponder for our monthly read thinking it would just be a funny, light-hearted romp but we were surprised by how much it gave us to talk about. Grief, loyalty, longing, marriage, and the ghosts of childhood all dance behind the humor. Daniel Roberts writes with bite and heart. This is a book that sneaks up on you in the best way.
June 21, 2025
With the sharp wit and off-kilter charm of a Coen Brothers film, Ponder explores masculinity, friendship, and midlife crises through the lens of Florida kitsch and childhood trauma. Daniel Roberts delivers his trademark sardonic storytelling with even more bite this time around, making Ponder a worthy and weirdly moving follow-up to Bar Maid.
June 21, 2025
“Virginia stole the show for me! Daniel Roberts gives us a wild, whimsical Southern Belle who turns two men’s lives upside down. The love triangle is just the tip of the iceberg beneath all the laughs is a surprisingly poignant story about grief, memory, and finding joy in the strangest places. Think Sideways meets It’s a Small World.”
June 21, 2025
“I didn’t think a story about two guys drinking their way through Disney World could make me laugh and cry in the same chapter but Ponder does exactly that. It’s outrageous, heartfelt, and totally original. I fell in love with Cheese, rooted for John, and couldn’t get enough of Virginia. An emotional rollercoaster with a buzz.”
June 1, 2025
Hideous
Two crass infantile grown men plus the hideousness
Of Disney..
Oh and his wife was hideous as well
Quit by chapter 5
Ps drinking game. Take a,shot every time the Moron says Wayz
Two crass infantile grown men plus the hideousness
Of Disney..
Oh and his wife was hideous as well
Quit by chapter 5
Ps drinking game. Take a,shot every time the Moron says Wayz
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews