I picked up this book in the States last summer at Barnes and Noble. After going through a period of time when I missed my own pets back at home, I decided to feed my sorrows and finally read this book. Now, here is my review. Enjoy!
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Title: Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat
Author: Gwen Cooper
Synopsis: ”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.”
ISBN: 0385343981
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My Review:
Everyone loves a good pet tale. Whether it is about a naughty dog or a curious cat, stories about animals are both entertaining and emotional. And Homer’s Odyssey, a true-life account of a naughty and curious kitty, is no exception.
After adopting an eye-less kitten who nobody wanted, Gwen Cooper realized her life had suddenly changed. When she was not blind-proofing her numerous homes, she was making sure Homer, the newest addition to her now three-cat family, was not getting into too much trouble. But, sure enough, Cooper had her work cut out for her, and realized quickly that though Homer was blind, he was more than a normal, curious cat.
Filled with chapters of Homer’s antics, Cooper takes you on a journey from kittenhood to the elder cat years of twelve. The different stories of Homer’s adventures are engaging, and whether Homer is annoying his two cat sisters, or making friends with practically every human he meets, his shenanigans are quite entertaining. Two chapters though really stuck out to me. The first consisted of Homer literally saving the life of the author from an intruder, and the second of the harrowing ordeal the author and her cats endured during 9/11. Both of these chapters were two of many which portrayed how much Homer truly impacted Gwen Cooper’s life.
The writing itself is captivating, though I did have a few issues with the author. At times Cooper came across as a know-it-all and slightly self absorbed, but to be fair, this is a memoir about her life and experiences. However, throughout the whole book she preached how important her cats were to her, especially Homer, and it seemed her entire life revolved around the care of her cats; throughout the the 9/11 chapter, she was more concerned about her cats’ safety than that of her own. So, it honestly surprised me when she ended up falling in love with a man who did not like cats to begin with. Though her future husband did eventually warm up to her three kitties, I was still a little taken aback by how unperturbed Cooper was by what I would consider a huge flaw.
All in all, Homer’s Odyssey was a compelling and sentimental read. It made me smile at the mischief of my own cat, and forced me to examine how important my own pets are to me. We all need love in our lives, and whether you are a cat-person or a dog-person, this book is for everyone.
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Purchase it at Amazon.com here: Homer’s Odyssey
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Has anyone read this book? If yes, what was your take on it? If not, do you plan on reading it? Let us know in the comment section below!
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*Note: The synopsis and photo were taken from Goodreads.com. The review above is written by me. © Kalie Lyn 2013*
