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    Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat
    Unavailable
    Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat
    Unavailable
    Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat
    Audiobook9 hours

    Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat

    Written by Gwen Cooper

    Narrated by Renee Raudman

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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.


    From the Hardcover edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateAug 25, 2009
    ISBN9780307704122
    Unavailable
    Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life With a Blind Wonder Cat
    Author

    Gwen Cooper

    Gwen Cooper is the New York Times bestselling author of the memoirs Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat; Homer: The Ninth Life of a Blind Wonder Cat; My Life in a Cat House; and Spray Anything: More True Tales of Homer and the Gang, as well as the novel Love Saves the Day (narrated from a rescue cat's perspective) and PAWSOME! Head Bonks, Raspy Tongues, and 101 Reasons Why Cats Make Us So, So Happy--among numerous other titles. Gwen's work has been published in more than two-dozen languages, and she is a frequent speaker at shelter fundraisers across the U.S. and Europe.Gwen lives in New Jersey with her husband, Laurence. She also lives with her two perfect cats--Clayton "the Tripod" and his litter-mate, Fanny--who aren't impressed with any of it.

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    Reviews for Homer's Odyssey

    4/5

    414 ratings80 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Homer's Odyssey is a fantastic story of a cat and the young woman who adopts him as a young, blind kitten. Gwen Cooper knew Homer would need special care but she didn't realize the affect Homer would have on her and how much he would ultimately change her life. As it turns out, blindness isn't a detriment to Homer as he more than makes up for his lack of eyes with a sterling personality. Both cat and human grow and mature in this heartwarmng, honest and witty book. And this is all managed, thankfully, without being overly sentimental or sappy. This is a lovely, uplifting memoir with moments of pure comedy that is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Dewey or Marley. I can't imagine a pet lover not enjoying this book!
    • 5/5
      In the afterward, Gwen Cooper wrote "the one thing that nearly every single reader who's written to me has said is that they hugged their own cats a little bit closer after reading this book."

      I know I did. Even when they squirmed :).
    • 5/5
      absolutely loved it
    • 4/5
      After reading "Love Saves the Day" by Gwen Cooper, I just had to read more works by this author, and chose "Homer's Odyssey".Homer is a throwaway kitten, unwanted due to blindness caused by an eye infection that went untreated. Most shelters would have euthanized the tiny kitten, but the vet who was supposed to put down the sick kitten made a phone call to one of her clients, and Gwen wound up with a third cat, whom she dubbed Homer.This book is a work of non-fiction, full of sad and happy memories of Homer and his two roommates, Vashti and Scarlett. But it is also the story of Gwen, and how living with Homer taught her about taking chances in her own life.This is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it.
    • 4/5
      A friend and fellow cat lover gave me this book for Christmas last year, and I admit I put off reading it because I feared cuteness overload. But after two less than satisfying reads, I was in the mood for something very different. This fit the bill, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.Gwen Cooper was a young aspiring author when she adopted Homer, a kitten who lost both his eyes because of a severe infection. She was experienced with rescue cats, but not with a special needs cat like Homer. But Homer quickly demonstrated he didn't need sight to live a full life. He got along well with Gwen's two other cats, and easily found his way around her apartment, relying on hearing and smell to find things. He was playful and affectionate in a way uncommon to cats, and endeared himself to all who met him.What Gwen didn't realize, as she cared for Homer's basic needs, was how much he was supporting her journey into adulthood. As she struggled to find consistent employment, Homer was there for her. He defended her against danger (really! I'm still not sure how they made it through that situation safely). When Gwen decided to pull up stakes and move from Miami to New York City (no small feat with three cats in tow), Homer helped Gwen to see that sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith, and not let others limit your potential. The one area where he wasn't much help was in her relationships with men, most of whom seemed put off by a woman who had three (count 'em!) cats. But eventually, that all works out, too.As I said, this book could have suffered from cuteness, but it didn't. It also could have suffered from pretentiousness, but it didn't, mostly. Her writing is good, if a bit repetitive. There was one point where it seemed Gwen was going to pull out all the melodramatic stops and I thought, "oh, don't go there!" But this turned out to be one of the best-written sections of the book, where Gwen faced a stressful, life-changing situation beyond anything I can imagine. For a while there, I couldn't put it down.And the best part: it all ends well. The book ends in 2010, when Homer is twelve years old and still living a full life. And he's still alive today. So you can keep the tissues on the shelf and just enjoy reading about the life of a pretty remarkable cat.
    • 5/5
      Before reading this book, I never knew that there was such a thing as a blind cat rescue and sanctuary. I never knew anything about blind cats. Homer is truly "one of a kind." I absolutely loved this book. It's actually been 2 years since I read this book and I can't get Homer out of my mind! Someday I'd like to see sequel made to this book so I could learn more of Homer's adventures.
    • 5/5
      A wonderful, uplifting little book. It made me hug my cats harder and remember just how lucky I am to have them in my life.
    • 5/5
      My friend insisted I borrow Homer's Odyssey. I've had it for quite some time because I felt like it was too soon to read after my cat died. If you've read enough pet stories you know how they always end, right?! I'm so pleased that I did finally take her advice and read it because it's a real feel-good story.Gwen rescues Homer as a kitten from a vet who's removed his eyes after the people who originally owned him were going to put him to sleep because he had an eye disease. It is amazing to read how easily he navigates through life and incredible to read all of the super-cool things he can do in spite of/because of his blindness.There's also a chapter about September 11th. Gwen was living a few blocks from the World Trade Center when it happened. Reading about how she couldn't get back to her cats after the crisis is gut-wrenching.If you like animal stories check it out!
    • 4/5
      Homer's story is full of lessons for all of us. This awesome little blind cat was fortunately given a home by an equally amazing woman who encouraged his potential and sense of adventure while keeping him safe. World and personal dramas played out around both of these individuals, and the book is a touchingly intimate account of their "adventures", both large and small. Not just for people who like cats.
    • 4/5
      What a sweet, sweet book! This author is one of those who finds meaning in lots of small things, and because of this she truly appreciates Homer, the blind cat. When she agrees to adopt him, it is because, "despite every reason he'd had to expect the opposite--in the depths of his kitten-y little soul, he'd always know there would be a place where he coulf feel completely warm and secure." She admires his optimism in the face of all the trials he has already suffered, and he rewards her with unswerving love and loyalty.

      For an ailurophile like me, there is nothing better than the story of a cat overcoming the odds and becoming a cherished family member, and this is what happens with Homer. He wins hearts wherever he goes, and his lust for life helps the author learn to face some of her fears and take leaps of faith, which eventually lead her to relocation to New York City and to finding the man of her dreams: "I am Homer's eyes. And he is my heart. And finally, the two of us--Homer and I--had found another person whose own heart was big enough to carry us all."

      Beautiful story - and as other reviewers have said, it is refreshing that the animal is still alive at the end. It seems most pet biographies are written after the pet's death, so it's nice to imagine Homer alive and well and pouncing through the New York apartment even today, although he actually may have passed away in the interim between publication and now.
    • 5/5
      Anyone who's read [Dewey] will love this tribute to a little kitten who, at a couple of weeks, lost his eyes due to an infection and was given up by his owners because they didn't want a blind cat. Gwen Cooper, hardly making ends meet herself, owner of 2 cats, and living with a friend, takes this little bundle of black fur and in the process, embarks on a journey where not only is she providing the shelter, love and care to this blind kitten but learns about courage, perseverance, trust and the joy of life. His antics will make you laugh, his love of life inspirational ... yes, he's a cat, but still, his ability to eke out every bit of adventure and thrill in life should inspire one to look beyond what we don't have and what we do. That a cat can scare away a burglar is impressive but that the cat who scared away the burglar was blind is just plain amazing. Wonderfully written, there is no way anyone could not fall in love with Homer, the wonder cat. I only wish the pictures had been in color instead of black and white.
    • 5/5
      Inspiring and utterly charming.
    • 5/5
      This book was, for me, simply amazing. I even cried a little towards the end when there was something with Homer (I won't spoil what). I found this whole book incredibly moving and motivational. It made me want to hug my own cats a little closer when I was done reading it.

      I read this book in less than 12 hours (finishing well after midnight), completely unable to put it down until I had finished Homer's story. And what an odyssey it was.
    • 5/5
      I don't even know where to begin with this one. This is a book that I won through Goodreads' First Reads program, and might be one of the best books I've ever come across. No, scratch that. It IS one of the best books I've ever come across. I laughed, I cried, I gripped the couch cushions in terror, I raged at the unfairness of people. In short, I ran the gamut of every emotion known to man while reading this book.

      Homer is adopted as a blind kitten and quickly makes his new mom realize that she can't define him by his disability. You know there's a parallel right there, don't you? One of the quotations that hit me the hardest was when she said, "No one can tell you what your potential is." For Homer, his potential is endless. He doesn't know what it's like to see, so he can't assume that he's different. He attacks life with gusto, attempting the 6-foot leap from scratching post to closet shelf multiple times before he makes it. Nothing deters this little guy, and he's sure not going to let the blackness stop him.

      Homer is the kind of cat who makes cat-lovers out of cat-haters. There's so much affection and love poured into his tiny body that the only way he can exist, it seems, is by sharing it with everyone and anyone. The one exception is the burglar who breaks into their apartment. Imagine a blind cat launching himself at a very large man like a mad banshee, and chasing said large man out and down the hall. Homer is bravery personified. (well, personified if he was a person. Maybe catified?)

      The thing is, there are life lessons to be learned in this book. As the 'parent' of a disabled cat myself, I can see myself in Ms. Cooper. I never want anything to hurt my Pippin, yet I can't let myself hold her back. She was hit by a car several months ago, and hasn't ever recovered full mobility in her legs. She limps dreadfully, and people often look at us askance when they see her walking. I've even had people stop me and ask me if I know that my cat is injured. One kind little man offered to build us a scooter. So I understand some of what Ms. Cooper experiences with Homer and people's natural curiosity. I also understand what it means to let the disabled pet live their full potential without interference from Mom. It sometimes kills me to allow Pippin to go her merry way, but I know it would kill her to be confined. She's so naturally curious, and she's found all sorts of ways to accommodate her disability. I tell you what, when she runs, you can't tell there's anything wrong with her!

      Homer is the same way, and I think that the similarities between him and my Pip made me get a lot more out of this than I might have otherwise. It makes me realize that I need to give people the same benefit of the doubt and allow them to live up to their potential. It makes me realize that unconditional love is the only way to go. It makes me realize that loving and being loved in return is a beautiful thing. It makes me so grateful for my beautiful Pippin and how much she loves her mommy. All in all, I think the biggest lesson that I'm taking away from this is that everyone, no matter who they are, has something wonderful to offer.

      Please, read this book. Read this book and accept the challenge to be a little better.
    • 5/5
      Outstanding :) This book was given to me to read by a dear friend. She's met my 2 special needs cats, one Bombay boy who is blind in one eye, & one little brown patched tabby domestic shorthair orphan who came to me at 2 weeks of age, & is the only survivor of a litter of 6, & with her several medical issues, was never expected to live to see her first birthday, but is now 2 1/2 years old. I laughed, I cried, I recognized Geordi & Cookie in Homer, & myself in Gwen herself in different ways.If you are a pet lover, parent or owner, read this :) If you are currently the owner of a special needs pet or have ever been one, read this. If you have ever contemplated adopting a special needs pet, read this, then go do it :)It will be worth every tear you shed, every minute you worry. They are an INSPIRATION. I am amazed every DAY by the resilience of my 2, their joy in life even with their boundaries, & the limitless heart they have.
    • 4/5
      This story is about Homer, a blind black cat adopted by the author Gwen Cooper. She takes him from a veterinary clinic in Miami after the vet seeks her out because of her willingness to adopt rescue cats. The vet removed Homer's eyes when he was three weeks old because of a major eye infection. Gwen adopted the kitten and he integrated very easily into her home with her two other cats, Scarlett and Vashti. Homer is a remarkable cat. His blindness allows his other senses to emerge and he relies totally on his sense of touch, smell and sound to survive. Without his sight, he is oblivious to the dangers around him and navigates comfortably and expertly in his surroundings. He is courageous, adventurous, loving and trusting and befriends every one of Gwen's many friends and acquaintances. The most remarkable chapter is when Homer saves Gwen from a nighttime intruder by ferociously defending her and her territory. I found the story really lagged when she moved to New York and then settled in with the boyfriend then husband Lawrence. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the spunk and bravery Homer exudes. This is a very good story.
    • 4/5
      I really liked this book. A fearless blind cat was inspiring. He lived like he didn't know he was blind. Well worth the read.
    • 5/5
      I didn't know it was possible but Homer's Odyssey touched me even more than Dewey: The small -town library cat who touched the world which was a book that moved me to tears. Homer touched me in a different way, while Dewey told an incredible story about an incredible cat, Homer tells a story about the lessons a woman learns from her cat that is blind. Her experiences mirror some of my own and some of my fears therefore; this book was more than a story about a cat to me. It was a story that could be my life. This book is interesting, wonderfully written, and will engage the reader. But get out the tissue it may move you to tears as well especially if you are a cat owner.The storyline to this novel is one of the pairing of two unlikely individuals. One is a recently singled woman who thinks she will turn into the stereotypcial cat lady if she gets another cat (and who is going to want to date a cat lady?). And a blind kitten (which would be the 3rd cat for our cat lady). Someone brings in a kitten with infections in both eyes, and they think the kitten is too sick to live, but a young vet thinks otherwise. She saves the kitten but the kitten is blind. Luckily (?), the kitten has been blind since birth since he got the infection before he opened his eyes. Therefore being blind is not new to him, it is the way life has always been. But having saved the kitten she can find no one to take him in. However, vets always know who the suckers are, those of us that will take in a kitten rather than be responsible for its death, and Gwen is one of us. She finally agrees to come into the vet's office "just to look" at the kitten, but one look was all it took and it was love at first sight for Gwen. She becomes immediately attached to the kitten that she names Homer, a creator of stories.As we travel with Gwen and Homer (and her two other cats Scarlett and Vashi) through their trials and tribulations which include Gwen getting a job after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, 9/11 where the cats survived on their own for days before Gwen could bribe her way back to her apartment, to surviving an intruder attack in her apartment, we find we get to know them in a way we would good friends. Homer teaches us a lot about bravery, love, loyalty, and being able to handle whatever life throws at us. He is definitely not the shy little cat Gwen was warned he would be. He definitely knows how to make the most of every moment. And in this book you can see what an impact a pet can make on a person's life. Anyone who has a pet they love will be able to relate Gwen and her cats.Gwen Cooper writes really well. She does a good job with what is essentially her and Homer's memoir. It moves really well and has quite a bit of action in it, she leads quite a life! She also gives the book a good voice; you will feel like you know her and her cats by the end of the book. Since I read this book right after I got divorced when I was having job troubles myself and I only had my cats for company, this book really resonated with me. There were funny moments and sad moments but the whole book was in fact an encouragement saying all this can happen to you and you can still move forward and find happiness. I think this is the type of story people need right now, one to say, it is bad now but we can get through it and it will get better. It also points out you can never underestimated the love and devotion of a valued and loved pet.If you like pets, cats, pets stories or have pets of your own you will love this book. And if you like memoirs about people who preserve through life's ups and downs you will like this book as well. It would make a great gift for a cat lover as well. I recommend everyone read this book you will not regret it.
    • 4/5
      I received this book in July 2009 as part of the Early Reviewers team. And I am a bad, bad book reviewer because it took me 9 months to read it. And I picked it up at the perfect time; on my way to Ohio for my grandmother's funeral. This book absolutely brightened my sad spirit. Gwen Cooper used such great imagery that I felt I was in the room with Homer the blind cat, Vishta the beauty, and Scarlett the snob. "'How does he get around?' they'll ask. On his legs, I answer," (10). Cooper's stories of Homer, Vashti and Scarlett are just hysterical and oh-so-appropriate for any cat owner and/or lover. My personal favorite chapter was when she detailed her boyfriend's experience of falling in love with her cats. It was so sweet, and shows that even the most staunch dog-lover can cross the line and care for both. That even a heavy-sighing, bass-voiced man can appreciate and even adore the unique personalities of cats.
    • 4/5
      I recommend reading this book up until Chapter 21. Just skip the last 60 pages as it devolves from a wonderfully written and insightful book about cats into...well, stupidity.The first 221 pages are all about Gwen, the author, and her cats, Scarlett, Vashti, and obviously, Homer. People reactions to Homer's blindness and his coping skills bring out the best of people (except for one, but if you skip the last 60 pages, you won't have to deal with that). Gwen writes well, interpreting the cats behaviors, attitudes, and looks: "The look on her face was invariably one of bemused contempt, as if she were observing some new species of idiot" (page 63). What Homer's escapades and attitude teach Gwen about life is inspiring and I found myself laughing and crying as I read this book.{spoiler alert}That is, until the last 60 pages. It's as if someone completely different wrote the last 60 pages. I cannot fathom Gwen's motivations, unless she was desperate to have a relationship. She spends at least 50 of the pages vainly attempting to tell the reader what a WONDERFUL human being her new boyfriend (Laurence) is. What's odd about this, in a long list of odd, is that the first two thirds of the book consist of Gwen SHOWING the reader in exquisite detail the actions of her, the cats, and everyone around her. Then, instead of continuing to show us exactly why it is that this new man is so damn wonderful, Gwen keeps telling and telling and telling. And completely not convincing anyone except, sadly, evidently herself. This new man, whom I feel I must remind you is so wonderful, scares Homer. His voice scares Homer, his presence, his attitude, everything scares the formerly fearless, knows-no-stranger Homer. And Gwen just traipses along, never acknowledging how that affects Homer. It is so completely out of her character that she has shown this far. This is the woman who slept with Homer since he came home to live with her, and she makes a HUGE deal over the fact that he will only sleep when she sleeps, and only sleep with her. Guess what? Whens she moves in with Laurence, she quits sleeping with the now petrified Homer (who seemingly has never known fear before this, despite his blindness) and she blithely skims over the fact that the cat now sleeps across the bedroom threshold, only to be tripped over and scared yet again, by Laurence. Argh!I recommend the first twenty chapters of the book.
    • 4/5
      I read this in two sittings! As a cat lover and the owner of two black cats myself, I loved this book! I believe I read recently on the author's Favebook page that Homer has died. So sad, but he had a long and happy life. I finished the book and immediately went to hug my cats!
    • 5/5
      Homer's Odyssey is a well written memoir about a blind cat named (obviously) Homer and the experiences he has shared with those around him.Being fond of animals in general I believe that there is no such thing as "just another pet" so I'm never turned off to the idea of reading about someone else's. I wasn't even past the Forward and I already adored Homer, so by the end of the book I was practically wishing to meet him in person along with his sisters Vashti and Scarlett (who both remind me of my own cat). Gwen did a wonderful job telling each story with fluidity and in a way that helped to bring you closer to it. This wasn't just a story about a blind cat, it is a story about Homer and the lessons he helped to teach in his loving and adventurous way. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys animals and touching stories.In compliance with FTC guidelines, I won this book through the First-reads program on Goodreads
    • 5/5
      I began reading Homer's Odyssey to help me understand how other cats learned to deal with vision problems. Homer has no eyes and my poor Maggie has only one with very limited vision. I was fully prepared to read about one tragic accident after another, because, honestly, that is how blind cats are expected to see. I was shocked and thrilled with Homer's antics. What an incredible cat!I was also shocked at the level of writing in this book. Many animal stories are written by people with not the greatest writing skills. Ms. Cooper, however, clearly is a professional writer and good at her trade. I especially enjoyed her unusual phrases, her word choice, and her attention to detail.My only minor complaint is the last few chapters of the book, when she is discussing her relationship and marriage to Laurence. I felt she would occasionally forget that the story was about Homer and not her relationship. True, the two are intertwined, but still, I wanted more stories about how Homer was fairing at 11 years.Overall, I loved this book and will read it again, without a doubt. Very inspirational!
    • 4/5
      I laughed, I cried. I'm such a cat person, it's ridiculous! Gwen Cooper did a great job showing us the personalities of her three cats. The descriptions of their behaviors was spot-on; I kept thinking to myself, "That's just like my cats!" People without pets don't understand that they really are our babies. This was more of a memoir of Gwen, with the focus around her cats, particularly Homer, of course, to keep things organized and moving. It was just the right amount of heartwarming, imho, and no animals were harmed during the reading of this book!
    • 3/5
      I bought this on the recommendation of a friend who had heard the author interviewed on the radio. I wasn't expecting it to be a great read, and was pleasantly surprised to find how much I enjoyed it. I'm not a cat person, so found some of the detail of Homer's early days a little tedious and repetitive, but the overall story won me over. It is not just the story of a brave, feisty blind cat, it's the story of how a relationship with an animal can make someone a more self aware, mature human being. Fascinating section on the impact of the 911 terrorist attacks on an ordinary resident of Manhatten. Highly recommended for cat lovers, and worth the effort for the rest of us!
    • 5/5
      He can see better in his world than some can in theirs and he has no eyes. A wonderful heartwarming story of a cat who is sightless but doesn't seem to notice or care. Once he's figures out his space, his adventures are limitless - and he survived 9/11 as well.
    • 3/5
      Homer the blind wonder cat, the star of this story died about a week ago. I had read much (almost half?) of the story at the library a couple years ago but not all of it. I think Homer deserved a full read. Reading/re-reading this, however, I see why my interest flagged the first time. Despite the title the book is more the author Gwen's Odyssey, but I think Homer's Odyssey is a much catchier title than the alternatives. Homer's story is amazing, reminding us that life is precious, incredibly adaptive and unpredictable, and for those like me with a lifelong soft spot for rescue kitties, especially heartwarming. Cats are amazing creatures.The book itself didn't dazzle me. There were pluses and minuses in here for me. It felt a little repetitive at times, stretched out, but I enjoyed it when it was about Homer. There are some good stories within the story here. But the Gwen stuff, not so interesting. Then, the last quarter of the book came close to spoiling this for me.Despite what I said, the most poignant part of the book for me was Gwen describing her first hand experience of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack 5 blocks from her apartment and office. It is a riveting account.
    • 4/5
      This is an inspiring story of great love and courage. A 3 week old abandoned kitten losses his eyes but gains a friend for life. Later he saves the life of the person that saved him. This is a must read for people of all ages.
    • 2/5
      I love animal stories, but I usually have a hard time reading the endings, because by the time the book is written, the animal has past away.

      Since Ms. Cooper has done a few interviews with Homer making appearances, I don't feel it's a spoiler to say that, at the end of the book, the cat lives!

      Another great thing about this novel is that it's written by a writer, not someone who had a fantastic pet and wanted to share the story. I love those books too, but sometimes getting through them can be a bit of a challenge, when the prose isn't exactly beautiful. Cooper knows her way around a sentence.

      Homer is a pretty special cat, and it's fun to read about his antics, how he made friends. The first two-thirds of the book are quite engaging and mostly Homer-centric. When we hit the part about the author meeting her future husband, it starts to lose momentum, and frankly, she lost me as a fan when she allowed her future husband (who wasn't crazy about cats) to forbid her cats from coming into the bedroom. At all. I just don't get people who don't appreciate a good fuzzy warm bunk buddy.
    • 5/5
      Make sure you have some tissues handy for certain parts of the book, BUT do not worry the cat does not die at the end. (I do not consider this a spoiler since one can see the author with the cat in a video clip here on goodreads)