Carly C. (ccwriter) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 186 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
If there is any justice in this world, "Homer's Odyssey" will rank up there on the best-selling list as long as "Marley & Me" did. This is a wonderful, uplifting, funny, moving story of Homer, a black kitten blind from birth, and how he has impacted the lives of those around him. At 12 years old, he is still with us, getting into mischief and enriching the life of his "adoptive mom," Gwen Cooper. I can't recommend it highly enough. This is way beyond 5 stars for any cat lover; and I think even ailurophobes would like it.
Franchesca M. (short-angry14) -
Helpful Score: 3
This book is by far, one of the best animal related books I have ever read. Homer, who had both of his eyes surgically removed when he was two weeks old due to an infection, is an amazing cat, and reading about him and his "larger than life" personality, is such a pleasure. I think the author's husband sums it up best when he says "This is a cat who knows how to live. He's got this huge world in that little head, and you can tell just by looking at him that every second of every day of his life is an adventure. I only wish that I could see what that cat hears." GREAT BOOK, and A DEFINITE KEEPER!
Jeanne M. (anujean) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
If you like cats,and even if you don't, you'll love this book. When it was recommended to me, I, probably like a lot of people, went "E-w-w, a blind cat". But this story is really humorous and shows what one can do when they don't know they're handicapped. Homer is a super cat and can do things my "normal" cats never could. The author sustains the story through 12 years of living with Homer. I laughed out loud at times, read sections aloud to others and was really sorry when it ended.
Ellen K. reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on
Helpful Score: 2
If you're a cat person like me, you'll love the story of this woman and her little blind wonder cat. It's an adventure through career change, moving across several states, even experiencing 911 in New York. We should all write such compelling cat memoirs.
Nathaniel S. (nanturtle) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Beautiful, moving, true story of a blind cat who sees more that most. Funny, well-written, and touching, Homer's Odyssey is a page-turner. If you are a cat-lover you don't want to miss this book. Even if you don't like cats, you don't want to miss this New York Times Bestseller!
Toni H. reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Homer's Odyssey is a charming book about a plucky cat. There were times it brought tears to my eyes. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to cat lovers everywhere.
Alice B. reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 3563 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The author adopts a blind 2 week old black kitten, Homer. He turns out to be the smartest cat that she has ever met.Is he handicapped no, his other senses make him a smart, intelligent cat. Homer is a fun and unusual cat.
Faye W. (AllieFWilliam) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 97 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book reads more like a diary of Homer's life. Very cute and keeps your interest. I have a small-eyed black cat who will possibly be blind soon so Homer reminded me of my Magoo.
One of the highlights in this story is the author's recollection of the planes crashing into the twin towers. Her apartment was only blocks from it.
One of the highlights in this story is the author's recollection of the planes crashing into the twin towers. Her apartment was only blocks from it.
Angela C. (rainbowreader) -
Helpful Score: 1
Tbis is an amazing story about amazing cat. But even more compelling, in the spirit of James Harriot, this is a wonderful book about a woman who learned to love an amazing cat. Her decision to adopt him changed her life in ways it took her years to learn. I havn't had a book make me giggle helplessly until I cried since James Harriot's books.
Susan S. (MoonLily) - , reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a great read. Even non-cat people will like this, but those of us who know cats...
Each chapter is another adventure. The book was well-written. You can see Homer in action.
Each chapter is another adventure. The book was well-written. You can see Homer in action.
Priscilla (MSCOZY) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on
Another fine cat tale! I rather liked it more than the book "Cleo."
A Veterinarian, Patricia Khuly, is brought a kitten who is not well. The owners do not want to keep the kitten as due to disease, the kitten must have both eyes removed and it will be blind.
After a thorough exam, Pat the Vet realizes that despite the eye problem, the kitten is fairly healthy and does not want to euthanize it. While handling the animal, the kitten shows remarkable awareness and affection towards her. Surely someone can see beyond the cat's disability and give it a home. After countless tries, she is finally able to convince her friend, Gwen, to come take a look. Gwen is her last hope.
Gwen imagines that she will simply go in to please her friend and just say no and leave. Some friends remind her that she will come to be known as the cat lady having three cats and being single. She and her boyfriend, Jorge, have just split up besides which she already has two cats. But it is almost love at first sight for Gwen at least. She agrees to take Homer when he gets released from the Vet's.
What a story! Imagine having a kitten that is blind along with two other grown cats in an apartment. Realizing she would need to make some changes to keep the kitten safe, she brings Homer home and watches him and his responses. Homer's other senses more than make up for his loss of sight and she has quite an adventurer on her hands. It bewilders her at the mischief Homer can get into as well as being able to find his food bowl and cat box. Almost all her friends have got to come and meet Homer and end up loving him and his spunk. It astonishes them that Homer can track flies without eyes and catch them easy as pie. He appears to be able to recall distances and where things at located easily.
I simply delighted in this tale. At one point, Homer actually saves his mistress and the story of that was just amazing. But having cats, I know they are extremely intelligent and very loving and protective. This is a wonderful book, but especially for any cat lover.
A Veterinarian, Patricia Khuly, is brought a kitten who is not well. The owners do not want to keep the kitten as due to disease, the kitten must have both eyes removed and it will be blind.
After a thorough exam, Pat the Vet realizes that despite the eye problem, the kitten is fairly healthy and does not want to euthanize it. While handling the animal, the kitten shows remarkable awareness and affection towards her. Surely someone can see beyond the cat's disability and give it a home. After countless tries, she is finally able to convince her friend, Gwen, to come take a look. Gwen is her last hope.
Gwen imagines that she will simply go in to please her friend and just say no and leave. Some friends remind her that she will come to be known as the cat lady having three cats and being single. She and her boyfriend, Jorge, have just split up besides which she already has two cats. But it is almost love at first sight for Gwen at least. She agrees to take Homer when he gets released from the Vet's.
What a story! Imagine having a kitten that is blind along with two other grown cats in an apartment. Realizing she would need to make some changes to keep the kitten safe, she brings Homer home and watches him and his responses. Homer's other senses more than make up for his loss of sight and she has quite an adventurer on her hands. It bewilders her at the mischief Homer can get into as well as being able to find his food bowl and cat box. Almost all her friends have got to come and meet Homer and end up loving him and his spunk. It astonishes them that Homer can track flies without eyes and catch them easy as pie. He appears to be able to recall distances and where things at located easily.
I simply delighted in this tale. At one point, Homer actually saves his mistress and the story of that was just amazing. But having cats, I know they are extremely intelligent and very loving and protective. This is a wonderful book, but especially for any cat lover.
Barbara M. reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 152 more book reviews
It took me about six months to read this book--partly because I was trying to catch up on other reading (magazines and newspaper articles I had saved) while reading this book. However, this book was also slow to get into. Homer was a sweet cat who learned to cope with blindness. However, that alone isn't enough for a compelling book. As some Amazon reviewers noted, Homer's story would have been more appropriate as a magazine article, not a full book. The most interesting parts were (1) when a burglar broke into the author's apartment when she lived in FL and (2) she lived near Ground Zero on 9/11.
Further, I didn't like how the author came across (also as some Amazon reviewers noted). In the latter half of the book she spent a lot of time talking about this fellow Laurence who first was a friend, then her boyfriend and finally her husband. Interestingly, in the Acknowledgments at the book's end, the author didn't mention her husband--she thanked many people, including her parents and sister, in-laws, friends, and, of course, her three cats but Laurence, whom the author described as the love of her life, was not mentioned.
Further, I didn't like how the author came across (also as some Amazon reviewers noted). In the latter half of the book she spent a lot of time talking about this fellow Laurence who first was a friend, then her boyfriend and finally her husband. Interestingly, in the Acknowledgments at the book's end, the author didn't mention her husband--she thanked many people, including her parents and sister, in-laws, friends, and, of course, her three cats but Laurence, whom the author described as the love of her life, was not mentioned.
Debbie V. (DebbieinMaine) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 113 more book reviews
A truly fearless and courageous cat who makes our own obstacles look so small. Good story.
Sharon T. (r801) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 122 more book reviews
LOVE this story! Such great descriptions, I can visualize Homer catching a fly!! I've fostered hundreds of cats and kittens over the years and of course they are all varied and different personalities........and I'm glad she stuck it out to wait for someone else who understood!
Debbie G. (thumpercml) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 2 more book reviews
The beginning stories of Homer and his adventures were good to begin with, but as the book drug on it became too much about the author and less about the cat.
Nancy B. reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 20 more book reviews
Reading this book was a profound emotional experience for me. Since I read the book, I have been circulating my own copy on loan, and I have ordered a copy to pass along to a friend who is devoted to rescuing cats. She and her group of volunteers have done a great deal of good, but none has expressed better than Gwen Cooper the miracle that the rescue of a cat with special needs can bring to a human life. When I read Cooper's account of her personal 9/11 experience in Lower Manhattan, I had to skip to the end of the book to be sure that Homer did not perish so that I was able to keep reading. Not only is Cooper an excellent writer, but also a person who understands completely what sharing one's life with an animal can provide.
Vickie B. (young-at-heart) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 6 more book reviews
I loved this book. It's amazing what animals can do.
Alice M. (alice0427) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 46 more book reviews
"An inspiring story of two souls, one human and one feline, who face significant obstacles on their quest for love. And to anyone who knows cats, it comes as no surprise that it is often the feline who leads the way."
"Moving, insightful, and often hilarious, Homer's Odyssey is about a blind cat with a spirit of epic proportions. Homer the Wonder Cat shows us that we don't need eyes to find faith in the face of failure- or sight to see the blessings all around us. Read and Rejoice!"
Absolutely wonderful true story.
"Moving, insightful, and often hilarious, Homer's Odyssey is about a blind cat with a spirit of epic proportions. Homer the Wonder Cat shows us that we don't need eyes to find faith in the face of failure- or sight to see the blessings all around us. Read and Rejoice!"
Absolutely wonderful true story.
Blanca M. reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 22 more book reviews
Awesome book....inspirational story. =)
Katie F. (katiez) - , reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 17 more book reviews
Oh, this one will grab you and hang on to the very last page. What a wonderful book! Homer is truly amazing, and will make you root for him at every turn. He gets in so much trouble that you honestly fear for his life at times, but on the other hand, he is so good at finding his way into your heart that you will love him completely long before the book's end. Gwen Cooper is just as amazing with the patience and love and always, always, forethought as to how he'll manage when she's not there to watch him. She's a wonder herself, and you are always rooting for her, too. Can you tell that I loved this story? If you like animals at all, and definitely if you love cats, this one has got to go on your list!
Faye W. (AllieFWilliam) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on + 97 more book reviews
Since I have a black cat who is almost blind, this story was especially endearing to me. I loved Gwen and her adventures. Especially the part about her cats being left in her apartment during the catastrophe we had at 911. And I am not ready to send this book on. I want to read it one more time.
Krista (berries674) -
Right up there with Marley, Dewey and Wesley. I love books about pets!!!!
There are great lessons to be learned though Homer, a beautiful soul who never lived within the boundaries of his blindness. Sorry, this one's a keeper...I can't bear to part with it. Read it, you'll see!
There are great lessons to be learned though Homer, a beautiful soul who never lived within the boundaries of his blindness. Sorry, this one's a keeper...I can't bear to part with it. Read it, you'll see!
Dana W. (SouthWestZippy) -
GREAT book. LOVED it!I truly enjoyed reading about her journey with her cats. Made me tear up, laugh and found myself wanting to slap the teeth out of a couple of people. Homer is a honorable cat with a brave soul.
Brinda L. (Brinda) reviewed Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat on
This is the first book I have read that is partially written from the cat's perspective and I loved it. It takes a little time to build the story initially but then on 9/11 it gets really intriguing.
If you love animals you should read it and her other book, Love Saves the Day.
If you love animals you should read it and her other book, Love Saves the Day.
Jacqueline C. (jcluvscats) -
This is definitely a five star book. I love cats but although all cats are special ... some are truly special.Homer was a truly special cat. I felt as if I knew him and now with the book finished I will need to find another remarkable story to help fill that void. I am now looking for other books by this author.
Laurie M. (reading-galore) -
Homer is such an inspiring cat! A true example of overcoming obstacles and handicaps. I was surprised to find that part of the book included the 9/11 tragedy. I wasn't sure that I wanted to relive that all over again. However, the cat's story was captivating and touching and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cynthia L. (Honeygirl62) -
I loved this book. I like stories about animals but this book was so much more than that. The author wrote about her life with Homer, and how they survive many trials and tribulations together including September 11.
