I enjoyed the devotion and the loving sharing as Homer natural to his instincts learned to navigate around his way in his inside territory along with his acute intelligence and connection with his best human who gave this cat the chance of being more than a special cat. I am one who do not think cats do anything to please humans as they think they, for cats 'think and act' differently to us and, never emotionally 'punish' or even ignore us as supposed to many cat lover with human emotions. Many humans believe the cat does things to and for them. The cat does for itself and smart enough to know how to gain human attention and love. I am along term cat lover, who respects the needs of any cat and their personality differences and, have had more than 150 cats over the last 70 + decades and learned much about their nature and instincts. Cats do have some deep attachments and 'friendships' with humans, very territorial along with accepting some human actions and offerings.(but never as a human baby!!) I do admire those others who adopt or look after the wellbeing of Shelter cats and feral outdoor cats, far beyond many would ever imagine. They all need a chance, or a second chance. I would personally recommend an older cat for single or aged folks better than a wild wonderful delightful kitten that can be part of a family. But then, all kittens and cats need to be homed as best as possible and this story about Homer the abandoned blind kitten who with love and care grew to be an amazing fellow. Yes a cat does seem to rule the family as does sweet Homer, who would win over any cat loving person, who is the star in this very warm and true story readable book!

This is a story of triumph in the face of adversity, both for Homer and Gwen. It takes a special person to decide to adopt an abandoned, blind kitten when you know there is going to require special attention and care. Gwen didn't shrink from this challenge. She accepted it with the love only a true pet lover knows. I have, among other pets, three rescue cats, who bring me love and challenges to my life but I wouldn't trade them for the world. I wish I could write a long, beautiful review about the joy that this book brought to me, but if you just read the Editorial Review for this book. It says it all, and if I may, I'd like to quote one part from it. "But it was Homer’s unswerving loyalty, his infinite capacity for love, and his joy in the face of all obstacles that inspired Gwen daily and transformed her life. And by the time she met the man she would marry, she realized Homer had taught her the most important lesson of all: Love isn’t something you see with your eyes." Read this book about this wonder cat and also follow Homer's odyssey on Gwen's Facebook page dedicated to Homer - Homer Blind WonderCat.

This is a wonderful story of how a cat can influence one's life. It is well-written and true to life. The author has a wonderful sense of humor and often waxes philosophical about life and its tribulations. A very good read, especially if you love felines and their quirks.

loved it

I originally purchased Homer's Odyssey on my Kindle, and I am now getting a hard copy because I loved it so much. Not only does Mrs. Cooper tell the tale with obvious love and enthusiasm, but she provides several insights that I think are right on the money. I love that she thinks of her cats as family and accepts them as they are. She committed to her first two cats sight-unseen and she understands that they will have whatever personality they have. I felt a kinship with her when she spoke of her somewhat anti-social (and secretly loving) Scarlett as having a bad PR problem. My older cat (I have two) is just the same. I related Homer with my sometimes wild and always curious younger cat. I am also not ashamed to admit that I do just as Mrs. Cooper does and interpret my cat's looks and moods, along with occasional smart-alec comments. Although some readers apparently thought her preoccupation with her cats in the wake of 9/11 was ridiculous or insensitive to the suffering, I disagree. She felt an obligation to protect them and to save them from where they were trapped. They were at her mercy, unable to help themselves. She never once belittled or questioned the greater suffering and loss going on all around New York. She was responsible for those cats, and she did what she had to do to take care of them. Bottom Line: Outstanding book. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and definitely held my cats a little closer after reading it.

The book is well written, and fascinating to read. It is not so much about a cat, as it is about a young woman's development. Highly recommended!

From the forward by the Vet who linked the author with Homer, you will be hooked. Gwen's description of the immediate bond she formed with a totally blind kitten is amazingly powerful - all cat lovers will relate I know. This is a truly a wonderful read both for the story line (Gwen's and Homer's) and how beautifully written the narrative is. For anyone who has ever lived with a cat(s), Gwen's descriptions of Homer, Scarlett and Vashti will make you smile and go "Oh Yes - I know that behavior". For anyone who has taken their cat on a plane, you will smile and laugh as Gwen describes her flight to NYC from Miami, three cats in tow. For those who always worry when our beloved felines are alone, you will cry for Gwen as, in desperation, she attempts to get to her cats who were alone in her apartment near Ground Zero the first days after 9/11. And you will be impressed by her determination to get to her pets by-hook-or-by-crook and how, by God, she does it! To quote the review from People magazine: "This memoir about adopting a special-needs kitten teaches that sometimes in life, you have to take a blind leap." For those of you who read "Dewey" or "A Cat Named Squeeky", this book is their equal. The memoir will move you in ways you can't imagine about the bond between we humans and our cats. "Homer's Odyssey" rates 5 out of 5 stars. I have recommended it to many friends who have enjoyed it just as much as I did. Do get and read this - you will be so glad that you did. Enjoy.

What a great book! Wow! I bought the Kindle edition and devoured it in a few days. The last day I read the 9/11 rescue story and the illness story, along with the wedding, and I have tell you I was crying non-stop. Many pet epics (like "Dewey") end with the decline and death of the pet. This one ends with Homer's decline and old age but not death. The 9/11 story was gripping! I was just on the edge of my chair as I hit the next page button on my Kindle over and over, my eyes gobbling up the words like kittens can gobble up food pellets. I have to admit that I am a real lover of animal books, having had cats for over 20 years. My last cat died 2 years ago and I'm still waiting for that "special someone" to come back into my life. I was just so struck by how Ms. Cooper made the reader feel like they were on the inside of her special relationship with Homer. Thank you, Gwen. Ms. Cooper also made her other 2 cats, Vashti and Scarlett, come to life, too, so I applaud her for that. The story of how Vashti came around to her husband Laurence was touching, and even Scarlett got a special friend near the end of the book. No cat left behind! This is a great book, a fast read but not light and fluffy. Rather it has the kind of thoughtfulness "this is what is going on inside my head" that I love and respect. I'm buying copies for my family and friends.

I first found this book by accident in a hotel book exchange in Mexico when I had forgotten to pack my Kindle charger cable. Usually the book choices are pretty slim and I seldom find anything I really want to read. I am a cat lover and first fell in love with Homer's picture on the cover before I even realized what the story was about. From the first pages written by the doctor who saved Homer and found him a home, to the very last words, I was hooked. I fell so hard for the courage and spirit of this little cat and so admired the woman who took him to her heart and wouldn't let him go. This is definitely not a sad and sappy story about an animal overcoming a handicap, but instead a glorious story of an animal who doesn't even recognize a handicap. An incredible cat who seemingly has no limitations and has a heart much larger than he is. He is smart, funny, brave, loyal and loving and so what's NOT to love. The writer, Homer's mom, did a beautiful job of telling Homer's story with wit and warmth. She also revealed how much she learned and how much her life changed by knowing him. For anyone who loves a hero story, a love story, a cat story or a triumph story, read this book. You too will fall in love! After finding this treasure, I have since bought many copies as gifts for my friends and they all love it too. Judyth Raven

I must say that this has to be one of the best books I have read in my life!!! Being a cat aficionado as well presently as being "owned" by 6 felines (and loving furry friends that have passed) I was hesitant that this book might just be another cat book. After getting a little ways into the book, I knew that I was wrong. Homer and mom (Gwen) hooked me into the story and didn't let up until the very last page. I must say that I was sad to finish this wonderful book and kept delaying reading the finish. Like a fine meal or the last glass of a great wine, one doesn't want to finish the pleasure. Ms. Cooper is a master at writing so that one can visualize (no pun intended) what is going on in her life as well as the darkened world of Homer and how he is able to live and embrace life to the fullest. How they enhance each others lives is a true miracle. I would LOVE to meet Ms. Cooper and tell her how much she brightened MY life with the story of Homer and his siblings. It made me go back to my room and hug my little furry child and tell him how much he means to me in my life...and how happy I am that he came into it. My recommendation to prospective readers: READ THE BOOK!!! You won't regret it...I guarantee it! Regards from the Marshall Islands.

Loved this book from the beginning to the end. But I am already a cat lover as two of them are laying right next to me in bed right now. The one thing I did not like about this book was the quick transition from getting to her apartment after 9/11 and the cats jumping in her lap, to the next paragraph that said the next morning she wrote checks to her cat sitter and the ASPCA. I really wanted to know how she got all of the Cats her personal stuff the cat litter box the litter the cat food etc etc down 31 flights of stairs.

I am 54 years old. My first pet was a cat. When my husband and I moved into our home back in 1978 we adopted three kittens. We have always had a minimum of two cats in our house and all the cats we have now are rescued ferals, we currently have six cats in the house ranging in age from under a year to 14 years old! This is just to let you know that I am a great fan of having cats for pets. Homer could have had a very short, miserable life. Instead, because a vet believed he could have a great life having never known what a sighted life would have been like, and because the author had enough courage to take this kitten into her home Homer has had a long life. His owner knew to make allowances for his blindness and did what was needed to protect him. He got to have two feline companions. I mention that this book is great for all ages, there is one curse word in it, but in the context it is completely understandable as you read about how Homer protected his owner from a intruder. You will also read about Homer and his feline companions survived being in an apartment a few blocks away from the Twin Towers on September 11th and how his owner struggled to get him and his feline companions out of the building in the days that followed. You will even read how the owner's now husband eventually learned to live with the three cats and how he even incorporated them (in a manner) into their wedding ceremony. Cannot recommend this book highly enough, it is very hard to put down once you start to read it! Enjoy!

Amazing story of a blind cat who outperforms all the early predictions for his life and his"mom". Gwen Cooper's writing is masterful as she takes you through the highs and lows of their life. Even if you're not a cat lover this is an inspiring story.

You don't have to love cats to enjoy the tales of Homer. His living life to the fullest with joy and faith.

I love this author! I've read several of Gwen Cooper's books, they are delightful and you won't be disappointed! Heart warming story about a blind cat that stole her heart. Easy reading and keeps you interested. I can hardly put the book down.