Any cat lover is going to love this story. Even someone who doesn't really understand cats will be captured. Written with sensitivity and humor, the author introduces the reader to a tiny all black kitten whose eyes had to be removed to save his life. Although she already had two cats, Gwen can't resist the little guy, who captures her heart by simply being too enamored of life to allow not being able to see to get in his way as he explores his world. The author carries us along as she picks herself up from a failed love affair, a job that doesn't pay enough, her move from Miami to New York City, and even her own near-miss when the World Trade Center is attacked. We even see the man she will eventually marry through the prism of Homer's take on life: that love is recognized by the heart, not by sight. Too often, memoirs are too much me, me, me, and I often wonder, "do I really care?" In this memoir, the story grabs and holds on as surely as Homer's claws when he climbed from the floor to the tallest bookcases in Gwen's apartment. A truly worthwhile read.

I'd love to have given this five stars, but I was a bit put off toward the end of the book with a chapter or two of her courtship and marriage to a very odd individual. Way too self-absorbed, but perhaps others will enjoy it. In any case, the tale of Homer in all its detail was wonderful. Before reading it, I doubted that an entire book could be written just about raising a cat, blind or not, but she is such a good and skilled writer, that it held my attention all the way through. She is to be commended for her writing and for her total devotion to her cats, and especially to Homer. I was almost going to say "...to poor Homer," but as she points out, the little guy got through life with more joy and happiness than many people. In addition to her tale of the cats, her first-person experiences of living just blocks from the Trade Center when it was destroyed on 9/11 is astonishing. Her brave efforts to get back to rescue her cats was indeed gripping, as others have pointed out. I recommend this as a great read, especially to cat lovers, and quite possibly to cat haters who may have a change of heart after reading this.

This book is about a blind kitten and how he learns to live with his disability, astounding the people who get to know him. It is especially interesting later in the book when he and his owner are living in NYC during the bombing of the Twin Towers.

I truly enjoyed reading about Homer and Gwen's "odyssey." The prose is well written and breezy at the same time, giving a humorous and heartfelt recollection of this extraordinary cat's life. There are also moments that are heart wrenching, and I couldn't put the book down during the author's retelling of the events of September 11th or the time that Homer saved his owner's life. The author does give voice to her three cats, writing what the cats seemed to be "saying" through her interpretation of their body language. This may annoy some, but for me it was not used excessively, and I think all pet owners sometimes guess at what our animal friends are thinking. Overall, it is great for a light read and it is always good to hear about a kitten beating the odds to become a not just a companion, but a little hero.

Bought this for my mom; story is excellent and Homer will capture any cat-lover's heart. The only reason it got 4 stars instead of 5 is the somewhat rough language throughout the book. Most "modern" readers might not even notice the coarse language, but my 80-something mom found it offensive, even though she loved the book. I would not discourage anyone from buying the book, as the story is beautiful, but if you are of a religious bent and offended by four-letter words, be aware you may find this disturbing.

The author said it best when she said cat lovers would hug their cats a little tighter after reading this book. Animals are amazing and perceptive and all do have their own personalities. I love Homer' s spirit and spunk. These cats filled a hole in her life that she did not know she had. I feel the same way, it is as if they know us better than we know ourselves. We may save them, feed them and provide a home for them but in reality they are rescuing us with their unconditional love and acceptance. God bless Homer and all the hero's out there who share their lives with these beautiful angels.

I love cats but can’t have one (or three!) cos my hubby is allergic. So I love reading books about cats. This one was especially wonderful. I have a large soft spot for black cats, and Homer fit right in. Gwen’s understanding of her cats blew me away. That was another reason I loved this book. You will too if you love cats.

Not that you maybe looking for a book about cats, this book was a great read! I too have a cat and can assure you that my relationship with him has changed after this book. I try to understand him more and pay closer attention to his body language. This book was more than that; life changing moments and those you take along with you on the journey; a well written tale about life, adventures, and lessons learned. Well done Gwen, thank you! Robin