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Homer's Odyssey

Gwen Cooper

Start date: April 1, 2015

Finish date: April 30, 2015

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What Members Thought

Sep 27, 2011 Kirsti rated it it was amazing

Shelves: true-animal-stories

It's so hard to write a review when you finish a truly special book. You know those books you want to bring up in conversation, but everyone looks at you strangely because so many people can't appreciate a book at all? This is one of those books. You find yourself in love with a brave little cat you've never met. You worry just as much as Gwen over September 11, and at other key moments in the book. My copy has the words 'The Touching true story of the blind, abandoned kitten who became the worl ...more

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Nov 24, 2009 Lynne rated it really liked it

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 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!
...more

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Sep 02, 2010 Shomeret rated it really liked it

Shelves: my-reviews, memoir

I wish this had been a novel so that it could have been more focused on this extraordinary cat and his experiences as opposed to those of author Gwen Cooper. I particularly missed finding out about what Homer was going through during the 9/11 crisis because Gwen wasn't there. I also wanted to know what editions of the Iliad and the Odyssey the quotes came from. I didn't see any mention of that in the book. On the other hand, I thought that using these quotes was an affectation and that they didn ...more

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Oct 05, 2011 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Appropriate for: age 13+
You will like this book if you like: Cats, memoirs, cats

I loved this book! I laughed and cried constantly through the first 70 pages, then off and on for the rest of the book. She really captures the spirit of this cat and makes you feel for him.
I want to be like Homer when I grow up! What a role model! So kind and brave and loving. We can all learn from him.
I knew he would have probably died by this time (2015) and he did. His memory will never be forgotton.
If you don't ...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Melissa Eisenmeier rated it really liked it

Shelves: bio-memoir, animals-and-pets, christmas-gifts, staffpicks

The author is a pathological liar and an awful person, but man, was this a good book. Guess it's one of those things where you have to separate the book from the author. ...more

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