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Homer's Odyssey

by Gwen Cooper (Goodreads Author)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 5,134 ratings · 1,006 reviews

Once in nine lives, something extraordinary happens...

The last thing Gwen Cooper wanted was another cat. She already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken heart. Then Gwen’s veterinarian called with a story about a three-week-old eyeless kitten who’d been abandoned. It was love at first sight.

Everyone warned that Homer would always b...more

Hardcover, 287 pages

Published August 25th 2009 by Delacorte Press (first published January 1st 2009)

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Lists with This Book

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot

Cat Lovers List

2nd out of 431 books — 156 voters

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

Great "Cat" Books

9th out of 619 books — 269 voters

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Community Reviews

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May 01, 2011 Reese rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, gr-finds

From a ridiculously long list of "to-read" books, I chose, shortly before the start of Passover, HOMER'S ODYSSEY: A FEARLESS FELINE TALE, OR HOW I LEARNED ABOUT LOVE AND LIFE WITH A BLIND WONDER CAT as my next "read." The coming of Passover had nothing to do with my looking at the shelves of waiting-to-be-next books and making Gwen Cooper's memoir the chosen one. Nevertheless, this choice turned out to be another "message" from the universe that, in a life in which so many occurrences seem rando...more From a ridiculously long list of "to-read" books, I chose, shortly before the start of Passover, HOMER'S ODYSSEY: A FEARLESS FELINE TALE, OR HOW I LEARNED ABOUT LOVE AND LIFE WITH A BLIND WONDER CAT as my next "read." The coming of Passover had nothing to do with my looking at the shelves of waiting-to-be-next books and making Gwen Cooper's memoir the chosen one. Nevertheless, this choice turned out to be another "message" from the universe that, in a life in which so many occurrences seem random and senseless, at least some things happen BECAUSE they are supposed to and WHEN they are supposed to.

A piece of the PROLOGUE of HOMER'S ODYSSEY provided an inspiring addition to this year's first-night Seder at our house. And I think that the following excerpt from Cooper's work is important enough to be shared with as many people as are willing to read/hear it:

"MY FAVORITE MOMENT in the celebration of Passover -- the holiday commemorating G-d's leading Moses and the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and into the Promised Land -- is always the Dayenu. . . . Hebrew for 'it would have been enough,' the Dayenu recounts the miracles G-d performed on behalf of the Israelites, insisting after each one that it, all on its own, would have been enough.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Living with Homer, over the past twelve years, I've composed a Dayenu of my own. If Homer had simply managed to live beyond two weeks of age, it would have been enough. If he had simply learned to find his food bowl and his litter box all on his own, it would have been enough. If he had simply learned to run, jump, play, and fearlessly do all the things they told me he might never do, it would have been enough. If he had simply made me laugh out loud every single day for a decade, it would have been enough.

And if he had done nothing more than become one of the most loyal, affectionate, and courageous sources of joy and inspiration I've ever known . . . well, that would have been more than enough.

In a seemingly hopeless situation, when no rational person could expect anything [ital.] good, yet somehow ends up receiving everything [ital.] good -- these are things we call miracles and wonders. A few of us are lucky enough to see such wonders in our everyday lives.

So this book is for the others like me, but also for the ones who've given up believing in everyday miracles and heroes; for people who love cats and for people who consider themselves firmly anti-cat; for those who think normal [ital.] and ideal [ital.] mean the same thing, and for those who know that, sometimes, stepping slightly to the left of what's normal can enrich your whole life." (10-12)

I DO love cats; and, like Cooper, I'm well acquainted with the experience of living with three cats. But I believe that my appreciation of HOMER'S ODYSSEY is, at most, thinly tied to my feelings about felines. I've already typed more than needs to be said about Cooper's book. Two words would have been enough: Read it. (less)

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Mar 20, 2011 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: animals

Sometimes you see little kids clutching books at the library and dramatically telling their friends, "OH MY GOD THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER" and I kind of feel that way about Homer's Odyssey, but I will try to have more dignity about it.

ZOMG! A TINY BLIND KITTEH!

Now that I've gotten that out of my system, I will say that this is different from the roughly one million other books about cats who teach their humans about love and life in that the author Gwen Cooper is not, how you say, socially awk...more

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Jul 27, 2009 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 28, 2012 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, nature

Really an exceptional read, and written much better then I had expected. I loved how Cooper started each of her chapters off with a quote from The Odyssey, and then proceeded to weave the quote into the story of her little blind dynamo kitty. Homer's Odyssey is much more then just a cat story. It's a book that can challenge all of us humans to live up to whatever potential we have within us.

After laughing, crying and cheering over Homer's saga, I was left with the almost overpowering urge to fi...more

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Dec 13, 2010 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, favorites, 2010, missed-author

I instantly loved Homer. I am a undeniable believer that pets enrich and make our lives fuller. Maybe you are lucky enough to have that once-in-a-lifetime pet that is able to touch your life in a very deep and profound way. I have a black cat that was hand-raised from the age of four weeks as well. Although my cat is not blind, he was the runt of the litter, and due to some yucky habits (besides being black—stupid superstitions), he was the least liked in the litter and I feared him unadoptable....more
I instantly loved Homer. I am a undeniable believer that pets enrich and make our lives fuller. Maybe you are lucky enough to have that once-in-a-lifetime pet that is able to touch your life in a very deep and profound way. I have a black cat that was hand-raised from the age of four weeks as well. Although my cat is not blind, he was the runt of the litter, and due to some yucky habits (besides being black—stupid superstitions), he was the least liked in the litter and I feared him unadoptable. Be it destiny or fate or something or the other, tho not as dramatic as the beginning of Ms. Cooper’s journey with Homer, he became “mine,” and I happen to think he’s pretty darn wonderful. I don’t think I’ve ever had any being (human or otherwise) give me so much unconditional love in return. There is an obvious bond between us. This is what I kept attaching to throughout the book: Homer’s constant and fierce devotion to Ms. Cooper. I mean c’mon, the little guy even battled off a burglar/rapist!

I laughed--out loud--when Ms. Cooper points out that (as I am all too aware) three cats do NOT do wonders for your dating life when you’re in your late 20s/early 30s. Oh the dating horrors! Her writing is so personable and so open; she enchants you with her weaving of she and Homer’s tale and irrevocably draws you in. I absolutely love her willingness to expose herself doing so with a healthy dose of humor and wit. Not only are you privy to Homer’s story and antics, you see the author grow as well through some very tough life experiences and how her life parallels that of her beloved pets (let’s not forget Scarlett and Vashti!). Reading about some of the events in Ms. Cooper’s life just punched me in the gut (i.e. 9/11, coping with so much human suffering, and panicking about leaving her pets at home). I’ve oft wondered what I would do if faced with a very serious challenge like that: What lengths would I go to in order to protect my furry family? The passage wasn’t self-aggrandizing at all, but I could definitely put myself in her shoes.

What do you walk away learning from Homer? 1) Some things you just have to take on faith. Take that leap in to the great abyss and just know deep down in your knower that you will land on your feet. Life is an adventure, so live it to the fullest! 2) Adaptation and perseverance pays. Don’t sweat the small stuff! And don’t forget to take joy in the simple things. 3) Love is blind and something that goes way waaaaay deeper than just the eyes. And 4) The clichés keep coming, but it’s true. You should never, ever judge a book by its cover. You have no idea what kinds of gems in the rough you will find! Who wouldn’t love Homer?? Cat lover or not, I think everyone could learn something from this book. A fast read but certainly not fluff. I highly recommend this thoughtful book about love, life, and simple companionship. Three hurrahs for Homer! Now I’m going to go read and cuddle my cat…(less)

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Dec 07, 2010 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: cat people

I really likes this book a lot. People who know me are totally aware of my near-obsession with cats, and that I am very involved in cat rescue, and that am fostering lots of cats at any given moment. I can't get enough of Lolcats and can lose hours at cuteoverload.com and icanhascheezburger.com. But when it comes to reading longer stories about animals and animal rescue, I usually can't handle the overabundance of sappiness (and sometimes self-righteousness) that is ever-present. So I am happy t...more I really likes this book a lot. People who know me are totally aware of my near-obsession with cats, and that I am very involved in cat rescue, and that am fostering lots of cats at any given moment. I can't get enough of Lolcats and can lose hours at cuteoverload.com and icanhascheezburger.com. But when it comes to reading longer stories about animals and animal rescue, I usually can't handle the overabundance of sappiness (and sometimes self-righteousness) that is ever-present. So I am happy to report that this book isn't sappy at all. And in fact, it's awesome.

I saw it on a table at Barnes & Noble, bought it, and had it finished less than 24 hours later. I just couldn't put it down. The book focuses on the author's cat Homer, who she adopted as a blind 6-week-old kitten. The important thing to note is that he had a severe eye infection before he ever even opened his eyes, so he had never actually seen at all. This never-having-seen-at-all comes up later and is the source of some pretty funny stories. The author was naturally worried about him from the beginning, but Homer made it clear pretty quick that he was not at any sort of disadvantage. The most notable thing about him is that his eyes had been removed, pretty much to save his life, and his eyelids were sewn shut--so he looked a little funny to people who first met him.

The book is a true memoir, in that Cooper tells us all the major things going on in her life. This is kind of interesting, as Homer (and her other two cats) are a major part of her life, and influence so many things. But I can say that I was far less interested in her dating life and perfect marriage and stuff that dominated the end of the book.

Here's my favorite story from the book: Homer has no concept of sight, right? But in every other way, he's a totally normal cat. So he would set out to stalk one of the other cats in the house, and he would do a bang-up job of it, moving stealthily and making no noise, etc. But there was one problem--he'd do it right in front of the other cats, who would be looking right at him as he gradually inched towards them. Every time, he'd end up with a swat on the head, and a look on his face of, "How did she catch me THAT TIME?! I didn't make any noise!" I just think this is adorable.

So if you wonder if this had any real impact on my life, let me just tell you that right after I finished, I decided I needed to adopt a blind cat myself. (Lest you think this is a crazy spontaneous thing, I lost my two oldest cats over the past 14 months, and I've been pondering adopting a special needs cat for a while). I found a little guy named Spider on petfinder.com and went through the rescue's application process, and I'll be picking up Spider this coming weekend. Yay!

UPDATE ON SPIDER

I just thought I'd give an update on my little Spider-man for anyone who wonders how that "whim" turned out--he's doing great. He's such a happy boy, and he loves to be close to me, though he is getting more and more confident navigating my untidy house. He spent several weeks living in my bedroom where for the most part he was alone, but now that the other cats have gotten used to him, he seeks them out occasionally. He sometimes walks into things, but he's smart enough to never walk to fast, and he often senses objects before he actually hits them. He's not nearly as confident or enthusiastic as Homer, but he's my adorable and clumsy kitty and I adore him. (less)

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Oct 15, 2010 Ems (Ems Reviews Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: les-animaux, arc, non-fiction, memoirs, won-in-a-giveaway, favorites

I don't even know where to begin with this one. This is a book that I won through Goodreads' First Reads program, and might be one of the best books I've ever come across. No, scratch that. It IS one of the best books I've ever come across. I laughed, I cried, I gripped the couch cushions in terror, I raged at the unfairness of people. In short, I ran the gamut of every emotion known to man while reading this book.

Homer is adopted as a blind kitten and quickly makes his new mom realize that she...more I don't even know where to begin with this one. This is a book that I won through Goodreads' First Reads program, and might be one of the best books I've ever come across. No, scratch that. It IS one of the best books I've ever come across. I laughed, I cried, I gripped the couch cushions in terror, I raged at the unfairness of people. In short, I ran the gamut of every emotion known to man while reading this book.

Homer is adopted as a blind kitten and quickly makes his new mom realize that she can't define him by his disability. You know there's a parallel right there, don't you? One of the quotations that hit me the hardest was when she said, "No one can tell you what your potential is." For Homer, his potential is endless. He doesn't know what it's like to see, so he can't assume that he's different. He attacks life with gusto, attempting the 6-foot leap from scratching post to closet shelf multiple times before he makes it. Nothing deters this little guy, and he's sure not going to let the blackness stop him.

Homer is the kind of cat who makes cat-lovers out of cat-haters. There's so much affection and love poured into his tiny body that the only way he can exist, it seems, is by sharing it with everyone and anyone. The one exception is the burglar who breaks into their apartment. Imagine a blind cat launching himself at a very large man like a mad banshee, and chasing said large man out and down the hall. Homer is bravery personified. (well, personified if he was a person. Maybe catified?)

The thing is, there are life lessons to be learned in this book. As the 'parent' of a disabled cat myself, I can see myself in Ms. Cooper. I never want anything to hurt my Pippin, yet I can't let myself hold her back. She was hit by a car several months ago, and hasn't ever recovered full mobility in her legs. She limps dreadfully, and people often look at us askance when they see her walking. I've even had people stop me and ask me if I know that my cat is injured. One kind little man offered to build us a scooter. So I understand some of what Ms. Cooper experiences with Homer and people's natural curiosity. I also understand what it means to let the disabled pet live their full potential without interference from Mom. It sometimes kills me to allow Pippin to go her merry way, but I know it would kill her to be confined. She's so naturally curious, and she's found all sorts of ways to accommodate her disability. I tell you what, when she runs, you can't tell there's anything wrong with her!

Homer is the same way, and I think that the similarities between him and my Pip made me get a lot more out of this than I might have otherwise. It makes me realize that I need to give people the same benefit of the doubt and allow them to live up to their potential. It makes me realize that unconditional love is the only way to go. It makes me realize that loving and being loved in return is a beautiful thing. It makes me so grateful for my beautiful Pippin and how much she loves her mommy. All in all, I think the biggest lesson that I'm taking away from this is that everyone, no matter who they are, has something wonderful to offer.

Please, read this book. Read this book and accept the challenge to be a little better.(less)

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Jan 09, 2012 Alissa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Cat People and anyone who loves a good animal story

Shelves: animals, non-fiction, humor, must-buy-this-book, re-read, realistic, awesome

"Exrtraordinary Dog" stories are a dime a dozen, so much to the point they've practically become cliche, typical, and, dare I say it, ordinary! (does anyone really care anymore that Lassie rescued Timmy from the old well--AGAIN?!?)But an Extraordinary Cat story? ...Now THAT is something you don't hear too much of! Perhaps it's because of our culture's somewhat deluded love affair with the "dog is man's best friend" concept. Perhaps it's because, in recent times, cats have been given something of...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoirs

I just loved this book. Homer is my kind of cat. From the very beginning he grabbed at your heart strings. This blind cat made you realize that just because you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, doesn't mean there isn't one.
This little cat sure stole Gwen Cooper's heart; and, mine too. Homer is an inspiration to all. His sense of smell and hearing made it easy for him to know things. He shows us how to have faith in ourselves. Everyone he came in contact came to love him; even those...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Diane Chamberlain rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm a dog person, but this book made me want a cat--if only family allergies didn't make that a very bad idea. I laughed out loud at Homer's antics, although there are some very serious moments in the story. I felt the author's tension when she couldn't get back to her beloved cats after the Twin Towers collapsed. If you can't stand anthropmorphizing of animals, this may not be the book for you, but if you're one of those people who know animals 'have feelings too', you will love this story. Wha...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Judy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Okay, the vet calls and tells you that there's a three week old homeless kitten with no eyes just waiting for a home. Now I think that most of us would immediately remember an important appointment and terminate that conversation, but not Gwen Cooper. She goes to the office, meets the kitten, falls in love, names him Homer, and takes him home several days later. This book is a love letter to Homer. He's fearless, loving, curious, and joyful. Then 9/11 happens and Homer is trapped in an apartment...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Cameling rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anyone who's read [Dewey] will love this tribute to a little kitten who, at a couple of weeks, lost his eyes due to an infection and was given up by his owners because they didn't want a blind cat.

Gwen Cooper, hardly making ends meet herself, owner of 2 cats, and living with a friend, takes this little bundle of black fur and in the process, embarks on a journey where not only is she providing the shelter, love and care to this blind kitten but learns about courage, perseverance, trust and the...more

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Jul 13, 2010 Lizzy added it

Posted by Lizzy Mottern for Barbara Branson
No, no, not the Homer’s Odyssey that you studied in school. This is the story of Homer, a tiny, blind cat who captured the heart of a young woman and went on to teach her valuable life lessons through his own determination and love of life. Homer is fearless: he can launch himself from great heights (he doesn’t know he’s near the top of the drapes) and in the middle of the night has scared off a burglar. His hearing is acute: he can hear a fly and leap...more

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May 12, 2013 Elizabeth Wright Korytkowski rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read this book while on work trip. I like cats, so that kinda puts me in the 'obvious demographic' category.
The story of this cat is cute. He's cute, fun, spirited and quite a fearless adventurer. The writing style is rather simplistic and sometimes it felt like the author was trying to come up with ways to fill the pages so turned something rather mundane into something worthwhile (a bunch of pages about how the cat got it's head caught in the handles of a plastic bag. Really....? But some of...more

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May 02, 2013 Kourtnie McKenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction

My mother called me one day and said, "Kourtnie, you've got to read this book."

"Mom, I've got at least a dozen you've-got-to-read-thises stacked up—"

"This author reminds me of you," she says, and I've every mind to tell her she's nuts. But she adds, "She even has three cats. One of them is blind."

Now, I don't have a blind cat, but I do have a cat with a laundry list of "care-taking" requirements; so much so that I've given up on talking about my cats almost completely. No one wants to feel like...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Troy Vencil rated it 5 of 5 stars

“Homer’s Odyssey,” by Gwen Cooper, is an auto-biography about Gwen’s life with Homer, her eyeless cat. In the beginning, she gets a call from her vet, who is trying to find a home for a stray kitten. The kitten had been brought in by a couple who insisted it be put down because of a severe eye infection that couldn’t be treated. But this vet was reluctant to put it down, so instead she removed his eyes completely. After the operation, Gwen takes Homer home and he becomes, “everyone’s favorite ca...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have been reading a lot of books about people lately and I wanted something different. I wanted to break free of the dramatic saga known as life. So I chose this book. The picture on the front cover of the book looks like a cat with it's eyes closed, as you learn about Homer's story you find out that he is blind. Homer gives hope to everyone and proves that he is more then just a blind cat. He's the comic character of Daredevil in a pint size version with a furry coat. He's a Wonder Cat that h...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who loves animals

Recommended to Anna by: Philip DeMare

"Homer" is a most remarkable cat - blinded due to a massive infection as a two-week old kitten, he doesn't know there's anything missing from his senses and demonstrates total and utter fearlessness in exploring the world around him. This lively and extremely heartwarming account will make you howl with laughter and shed more than a few tears as, through this little cat, his owner also learns to let go of fear and learn to love. Homer is truly an extraordinary animal and the play on words that m...more

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Feb 26, 2012 Lelia Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Homer’s Odyssey
Gwen Cooper
Read by Renee Raudman
Random House Audio, 2009
ISBN 0307704114
Unabridged Audio Book

A tiny homeless kitten is left with a veterinarian, a kitten with a terrible eye infection that could be successfully treated only be removing his eyes. Being blind is one thing; being eyeless is quite another and the vet faces a difficult time finding a home for this little creature. Then she introduces him to Gwen Cooper, a young woman with a love of animals, and a new life begins for the...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Corielle Riddell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

As a cat lover, I found this book to be a wonderful representation of compassion and learning from animals. It’s a story about the give and take of every good relationship, and being able to take that leap beyond the extraordinary to prove your love. It’s about struggle and overcoming the seemingly impossible. About not taking things for granted and believing that anything is possible.

Homer is a fearless, blind kitty with a big heart. And Gwen, Homer’s human mommy, has a lot of love to give. Gwe...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Bobbi rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've previously confessed to being a pushover for books about animals, so it should come as no surprise that I really, REALLY liked this book. The subtitle, "A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat," really nails the book in a nutshell.

Books about animals often describe what makes the animal special, the author's interaction with it, amazing feats and adventures, etc., and this book does all that. But what I found most interesting was how the author a...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Alexandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Homer’s Odyssey is a memoir written by a 25 year old woman named Gwen Cooper. The story intrigued me, what I enjoyed most was how it locked me in to the story emotionally and visually. I was able to create a scene in my head with the adjectives Cooper used throughout the story. The book begins with Cooper talking about her love and fascination for cats, this leads to how her adoption of Homer had become. Homer is a black cat that she adopted when he was only a few weeks old. The only difference...more Homer’s Odyssey is a memoir written by a 25 year old woman named Gwen Cooper. The story intrigued me, what I enjoyed most was how it locked me in to the story emotionally and visually. I was able to create a scene in my head with the adjectives Cooper used throughout the story. The book begins with Cooper talking about her love and fascination for cats, this leads to how her adoption of Homer had become. Homer is a black cat that she adopted when he was only a few weeks old. The only difference with Homer is that when he was adopted he had no eyes due to an eye infection. The story continues on about the effort she put into making Homer comfortable, which could be difficult moving from home to home, getting a new job in another state, forcing the blind cat to adjust to different areas. What I liked the most about this book was the writing style. Cooper knew how to use words that would describe scenes and emotion as if you were there. She used words like mournfully, rapidly, tantamount, and malice. These words made the scenes come to life, and even if you didn’t know their definition she used them often enough to be able to comprehend them within the text. I also liked how she told the story of her life throughout the memoir, her tone sounded honest, personable, and as if she were telling the story directly to you.
The major theme brought up in the book was how Homer was a blind cat, yet he seemed happier and more playful and protective than any other cat she knew. She was impressed at how well he functioned, and how sad it is that people discriminated against cats of that sort because “they weren’t normal”. The book literally made me want to get a cat after reading it because it made me feel so compassionate for them. It made me sad thinking there were animals with disabilities that don’t get adopted and people don’t care. The text clearly impacted me emotionally and grabbed my attention. The book is about love and compassion. The text is a good challenging read for a 17 year old age group.
"We watched it, mesmerized. It radiated outward in an opaque cloud of soot and debris that swallowed up everything in its path for blocks around. The building where my cats still were. My body followed the direction my head was already pointing in, and I began to push my way through the crowd."
I chose this quote because it showed how devoted Cooper has always to her cats. She has changed her life according to them, broke up with men who didn't like them, and describes her unconditional love for them. I thought the book was extremly powerful, emotional, and a great read for all ages. There isn't a way for someone to not feel compassion when reading it. (less)

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Sep 20, 2011 Erica Johnson added it

This book was about a lady, Gwen Cooper who adopted a blind kitten. The kitten, Homer had his eyes removed and no one wanted to adopt him. This book tells about Gwen's life with Homer and how she had to adapt to having a blind cat along with he two other cats that she has. Gwen is 25 years old in the beginning of the book. She broke up with her boyfriend before she got Homer and the moved in with he friend when she adopted Homer. But she eventually had to move out of her friend's house and the o...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Lee rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is so lovely! The author does a wonderful job of framing her own life's path against that of Homer (the kitty she adopts) - when she talks about what she "learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat," she manages to avoid the "oh please, let me roll my eyes now" type of sap that sometimes happen when you read pet-centered memoirs. At least, that was my perspective. Others might feel it still gets sappy...but I think the author wrote honestly, from a place of personal reflection...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Särah Nour rated it 5 of 5 stars

I admit it: I’m a bleeding heart for animals, and Homer’s Odyssey made me laugh, cry and hug my cat. The premise may seem cliché—handicapped pet wins the hearts of everyone he meets—but Gwen Cooper is a compelling and eloquent narrator, and she writes of her beloved blind cat with dry wit and humor as well as affection. Her voice resonates off the page in a jovial and conversational tone, and reading this book feels like having a nice chat with Cooper across the table over coffee.

Cooper was alre...more I admit it: I’m a bleeding heart for animals, and Homer’s Odyssey made me laugh, cry and hug my cat. The premise may seem cliché—handicapped pet wins the hearts of everyone he meets—but Gwen Cooper is a compelling and eloquent narrator, and she writes of her beloved blind cat with dry wit and humor as well as affection. Her voice resonates off the page in a jovial and conversational tone, and reading this book feels like having a nice chat with Cooper across the table over coffee.

Cooper was already the owner of two cats when she received a call from her veterinarian about a four-week-old stray kitten who’d had his eyes surgically removed due to an infection. The kitten was up for adoption and proving difficult to place. Cooper, who was living paycheck to paycheck at the time, had no intention of adding to her brood. However, seeing a trooper in the tiny kitten, she adopted him and aptly named him Homer, after the blind storyteller of The Odyssey.

Unlike humans, handicapped animals seem to lack the capacity for self-pity, and Homer’s adventurous spirit is not dampened by his blindness. Raising Homer is full of trials and tribulations, extra attention and vigilant discipline. He’s irrepressibly rambunctious and insatiably curious, and Cooper relates many hilarious stories of Homer’s antics that should sound familiar to any cat owner, or even anyone who has had small children. He fearlessly scales seven-foot bookcases, pushes items off the coffee table in the living room, and once, when Cooper brings a date home, he eagerly rushes to greet her with a tampon in his mouth.

Equally funny are Homer’s interactions with Cooper’s two other cats, Scarlett and Vashti. Homer quickly settles into the role of the feisty little brother who likes roughhousing with his sisters and annoying them to no end. Scarlett, a snobbish prima donna of a cat, regards him as a nuisance, while the dainty Vashti is appalled at his horseplay. They do, however, become a functional family, while managing some level of tolerance for each other.

Homer also reveals his heroic side when he protects Cooper from an intruder who breaks into her Miami apartment one night. Later in the book, Cooper moves to New York City, into an apartment near the World Trade Center, and Homer instinctively guards his territory when he hears the explosions of 9/11, placing himself in front of Cooper and hissing at any danger that might befall her. Indeed, Homer is a brave cat—as brave and loyal as your Lassie or your Rin Tin Tin—and for all the care Cooper gives him, he gives back twice as much.

Homer’s Odyssey is a guaranteed hit with animal lovers. Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, Homer will likely bat at your heartstrings. If you’re looking for a feel-good read, look no further.

Read this and other reviews at my blog: http://zeitgeist-sacha1689.blogspot.com/(less)

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Jan 26, 2011 EZRead eBookstore rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amelia-reviews

Able to jump from tall book cases in a single bound. Look! It’s a cat. It’s blind. It’s Homer!

Though some skeptics may think this comparison is over the top, they obviously have not yet read about the antics of Homer, the blind wonder kitty. He has amazing instincts, super hearing, a super sense of smell, and has as much affection and protective nature as a dog (apologies to any cat lovers/dog haters). All of these abilities are impressive enough with a regular cat, but put them on an eyeless on...more

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Jul 22, 2010 ICPL Staff Picks added it

Shelves: staff-picks-blog, nonfiction, maeve

This book is a cat story, well actually the story of three cats, and their human companion. I must confess I read more dog stories, but there are also lovely stories of cats and their humans, including this. The title of this work Homer’s Odyssey: a fearless feline tale or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat does a pretty darn good job of summing up the book. Gwen Cooper, the author, tells us of the adoption of her cat Homer, made blind by an eye infection as a very young k...more This book is a cat story, well actually the story of three cats, and their human companion. I must confess I read more dog stories, but there are also lovely stories of cats and their humans, including this. The title of this work Homer’s Odyssey: a fearless feline tale or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat does a pretty darn good job of summing up the book. Gwen Cooper, the author, tells us of the adoption of her cat Homer, made blind by an eye infection as a very young kitten. Cooper recounts how her life changes because of Homer. The book begins in Miami and ends in New York City. It is the story of Cooper’s growth from a young college graduate to a successful author.

One of the most moving parts of Homer’s story is Cooper sharing the events of 9/11. She lived a block from her office and her office in the Financial District was a mere four blocks from the Twin Towers. She tells her harrowing story of seeing the collapse of the towers and her trip across the Brooklyn Bridge with the thousands of others fleeing Manhattan and then her life for the next hours and days. Her cats were trapped in the building that she could not access. Even now, days after reading that section of the book, I still get shivers; it is so frightening and compelling. Her stories of her encounters with rescue workers, the posters of all the missing people, the smells and the grey dust that covered the entire financial district are so vivid that I can see them in my mind’s eye. Rest assured, after many days she was finally able to reach her cats and safely move them.

The remainder of the book is about her becoming a true New Yorker and her circle of friends, including a very special friend Lawrence Lerman, a dog lover and not a fan of cats. He eventually becomes her husband and lover of not only Gwen Cooper, but Homer, Scarlett and Vashti. Each chapter of Homer’s Odyssey opens with an epigraph from the Odyssey and a photo of Homer or one of the other cats. If you love cats, I guarantee you will love Homer’s Odyssey. And let me know if you need any advice on a good dog book or two. I can even do dog mysteries. --Maeve

From ICPL Staff Picks Blog (less)

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Jul 17, 2010 Jessi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography-memoir, non-fiction

Summary: Once in nine lives, something extraordinary happens. The last thing Gwen Cooper wanted was another cat. She already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken heart. Then Gwen's veterinarian called with a story about a three-week-old eyeless kitten who'd been abandoned. It was love at first sight. Everyone warned that Homer would always be an "underachiever", never as playful or independent as other cats. But the kitten nobody believed in quickly grew i...more

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Jan 01, 2010 Catherine rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir-autobiography

I don't want to sound unkind, but I fear that will be inevitable.

Gwen Cooper seems like a perfectly nice person, even if a bit self-important, but I feel like if she were in my wider social circles and I found out she was attending a function I would be like "...oh. Really? Gwen's coming?" because there is something about her tone that is unbelievably irritating.

A friend bought this for me as a present because I have a blind kitten of my own (Dirty Diana, who is now 8 months old and has had bot...more

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Nov 24, 2009 Lynne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Homer was a stray found at 2 weeks old and had an eye infection that could have been treated had he been found sooner. Unfortunately his eyes had to be removed. Some at the vet's office suggested euthanizing him since he would be hard to adopt out. The vet, after seeing his spunk and determination, felt otherwise. The vet, who treated Gwen's (the author) other cats, Vashti and Scarlett, asked if she would also be willing to adopt Homer. Gwen fell for him immediately and took him home.

Throughout...more Homer was a stray found at 2 weeks old and had an eye infection that could have been treated had he been found sooner. Unfortunately his eyes had to be removed. Some at the vet's office suggested euthanizing him since he would be hard to adopt out. The vet, after seeing his spunk and determination, felt otherwise. The vet, who treated Gwen's (the author) other cats, Vashti and Scarlett, asked if she would also be willing to adopt Homer. Gwen fell for him immediately and took him home.

Throughout the book the author writes about her life with three cats, one, of course, who is blind. She discusses dating with three cats, living with a roommate with three cats, moving with the cats back in with her parents, and moving to another state via airplane with them. She wrote about 9/11 when she lived only blocks from the World Trade Center, and what it was like not knowing whether or not her cats survived, after she was forced to leave them alone until people were allowed back in the area. Several days went by before she even knew if her apartment building was still standing.

I loved Homer. He was a hoot. I dare anyone not to fall in love with him while reading this book. He was spunky and courageous and smart. He even taught himself to use the toilet (the author walked in the bathroom and found him balancing himself on the toilet seat). He was determined. Once when he was trying to jump on the side of the bathtub while Gwen was taking a bath, he fell in the water. After Gwen dried him off, he tried again! This time he was able to balance himself and sit on the edge of the tub.

The way Homer relied on his sense of hearing and touch was fascinating. He warned Gwen after hearing an intruder break into the apartment in the middle of the night. He was able to find a closed can of tuna in the cupboard. He knew where Gwen kept tampons, and he would tear open the paper and carry them around like mice, with the "tail" hanging out of his mouth. He may have been blind, but he sure had fun :)

I love how in the book everyone Homer encountered learned a lesson, whether it was courage, determination, not feeling sorry for yourself, not to judge, or just how to have fun!
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“My philosophy when it came to pets was much like that of having children: You got what you got, and you loved them unconditionally regardless of whatever their personalities or flaws turned out to be. ” — 30 people liked it

“So I didn't adopt Homer because he was cute and little and sweet, or because he was helpless and needed me. I adopted him because when you think you see something so fundamentally worthwhile in someone else, you don't look for the reasons - like bad timing or a negative bank balance - that might keep it out of your life. You commit to being strong enough to build your life around it, no matter what. In doing so, you begin to become the thing you admire.” — 10 people liked it

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