Homer's Odyssey

A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder

By: Gwen Cooper

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's 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 into a three-pound dynamo, a tiny daredevil with a giant heart who eagerly made friends with every human who crossed his path. Homer scaled seven-foot bookcases with ease and leapt five feet into the air to catch flies in mid-buzz. He survived being trapped alone for days after 9/11 in an apartment near the World Trade Center, and even saved Gwen’s life when he chased off an intruder who broke into their home in the middle of the night. 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.

Homer’s Odyssey is the once-in-a-lifetime story of an extraordinary cat and his human companion. It celebrates the refusal to accept limits—on love, ability, or hope against overwhelming odds. By turns jubilant and moving, it’s a memoir for anybody who’s ever fallen completely and helplessly in love with a pet.

©2009 Gwen Cooper (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“A wonderful book for animal lovers."—Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation

“Entertaining, heart-warming, and sometimes heart-wrenching….Throughout, Homer entertains with his insatiable curiosity and joie de vivre...I couldn’t put the book down and I read half the passages aloud to my husband. I guarantee you’ll find the book as engaging as I did.”—Catster

“Moving and inspiring . . . a three-hankie tale of life and the love that can exist between owner and pet.”—Florida Times-Union

fabulous...my daughter has 3 cats

I have to share this book with friends....great for a book club read. that is how I found it.

Blind Kitten guides the sighted to enlightenment.

Loved it! Made me think and feel... and more importantly, act. Plan. Pray. Play. Purr!

I LOVE THIS SORRY SO MUCH

I would never think that a blind cat would be so brave but when I think of it it makes sense he or she would not be able to see all the thing’s that scares people or other animals and poor Scarlett she is so misunderstood she just didn’t like people

I would recommend this book for dog or bird lovers( my cousin Scarlett recommend this book to me)

It is good ❤️❤️💕💕❤️❤️💕💕❤️❤️💕💕❤️❤️

Light warm and at times tense

What made the experience of listening to Homer's Odyssey the most enjoyable?

The authors love for her animals and their distinct personalities

What was one of the most memorable moments of Homer's Odyssey?

Author struggle to get home to her cats after 911.

Which scene was your favorite?

Anything where Homer literally throws himself into a situation . His continuous leaps of faith.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Homer got sick

Any additional comments?

Please read this heart warming book. It fills you with joy.

A Must Read!

I have purchased and read the physical book, the Kindle edition and listened to the Audible edition of this book. I plan on gifting it to several people for Christmas. It is that good! Truly enjoyed the interview with author and husband on Audible edition. The author said that 10% of profits go to varius animal charitie. Please buy this book!

I will never . . .

I will never turn down a blind cat of any color! Good job, Ms. Cooper!

Incredible!

Wow! I once had a friend in high school who had a blind cat and I was amazed at how well he got around. This made me want to pick this book up, and I'm so glad I did!
It's happy and sad, funny and scary, and so heartwarming. I cried like a baby when the author re-lived the trauma of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the fear she would never see her 3 cats again, and cheered when Homer fought off an intruder. The little blind wonder cat that wasn't supposed to grow up not only survived, but lived!
The narrator, the great Renee Raudman is one of my favorites, in fact, my spell checker recognizes 'Raudman' as a word because I constantly sing her praises! As usual, she is amazing!
I highly recommend this book! Happy listening!

Blind cat

I plan to adopt a blind cat now that I have a better understanding ! Excellent

A Fun Read

I loved the story from the start. Gwen is such a sweetheart. In her mid-twenties, she works hard for a non-profit which did not pay much. She had two cats already, but when she got a call from her veterinarian asking her to adopt a little black blind kitten, she went to see him and fell in love. She realized that she was his only hope is nobody else was willing to take him. So she adopted him, and he became the most incredible blessing in her life. He did not know he was blind, found his way around her apartment, and acted like a regular cat, a very smart cat who could catch flies in the air, taught himself to use the regular toilet, and saved Gwen’s life from an intruder. There is much more that happens, but that gives you an idea.

Such a heartwarming, true story!

To begin, I absolutely love cats and have had several including a black male who “adopted” us one day in our office. But we never had a special needs kitten or cat. This story of Homer will change that! Oh what a brave little guy he was and what a beautiful book Gwen Cooper has written for all pet lovers or anyone with a caring heart.