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Self Help

By Self Publishing Titans
Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat

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

by Gwen Cooper

4.8 (2687 ratings)
Self Help

Published

August 15, 2009

Pages

322 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Delacorte Press

Available Formats & Prices

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Kindle

$1.99

Hardcover

$15.06

Paperback

$9.96

Audiobook

$0.00

Audio CD

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About This Book

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.” But the kitten nobody believed in quickly grew into a three-pound dynamo with a giant heart who eagerly made friends with every human who crossed his path.

Homer scaled seven-foot bookcases with ease, 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 transformed Gwen’s life. And by the time she met the man she would marry, she realized that Homer had taught her the most valuable lesson of all: Love isn’t something you see with your eyes.

BONUS: This edition contains a new afterword and an excerpt from Gwen Cooper's Love Saves the Day.

Introduction

When Gwen Cooper adopts an extraordinary blind kitten, she doesn't just bring home a pet; she invites a whirlwind of inspiration into her life. Homer, the fearless feline, quickly becomes more than a companion. Despite the odds stacked against him, he demonstrates incredible courage, teaching invaluable lessons about perseverance, love, and the unexpected joys life can bring.

Key Takeaways

The power of love and resilience transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. Learning from a blind cat Homer reveals unexpected life insights and profound moments of joy. Inspiration can spring from the most unlikely sources fostering deep connections and personal growth.

Detailed Description

Gwen Cooper had no idea what lay ahead when she opened her home to a tiny sightless kitten named Homer. Despite his disability Homer turns out to be a bundle of boundless energy and affection. This memoir explores how a determined cat defies expectations changing his owner's life forever.

Throughout their journey Gwen discovers how Homer approaches the world with a bravery and openness that is genuinely transformative. From thwarting burglars to navigating new environments Homer demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt and conquer. His story becomes a testament to the invisible threads of love and trust.

Amidst life's unpredictabilities Homer becomes a source of infinite wisdom and comfort offering companionship through challenging times. Through her heartfelt narrative Gwen captures the essence of living with a spirited animal whose blindness only magnifies his lust for life. Homer's presence not only enlightens Gwen but also enriches the lives of everyone he meets.

This book traces the journey of growth where the most unlikely hero leaves an indelible impact revealing that the smallest creatures often have the greatest hearts. A touching blend of humor and heartwarming moments Homer\'s Odyssey" is a timeless story of courage and hope reminding readers of the profound connections that can form when one dares to see beyond the surface.

Standout Features

Gwen Cooper's narrative beautifully intertwines her personal experiences with Homer's inspiring journey striking a balance between humor and poignant life lessons The book offers readers a heartfelt exploration of resilience and companionship. \nThe unique perspective of a blind cat overcoming obstacles delivers fresh insights into the meaning of courage and love Homer undeterred by his limitations inspires readers to embrace life with unwavering enthusiasm and faith. \nThe emotional depth and authenticity in "Homer\'s Odyssey" resonate with anyone who has loved an animal or faced adversity encouraging a deeper appreciation for the simple yet profound bonds we form with the beings around us.

Book Details

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Specifications

Pages:322 pages
Language:English
Published:August 15, 2009
Publisher:Delacorte Press
Authors:Gwen Cooper

Rating

4.8

Based on 2687 ratings

Customer Reviews

Heartfelt, Genuine, and Utterly Moving: Couldn't Put It Down

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mno86
February 26, 2016

I love animals - the simple joy they have in just "being" around us is something wonderful to come home to after a hard day of dealing with people, who, by a complex and cruel misfortune, are not always quite so simple. I adopted my first cat my sophomore year in college. I lived alone (and preferred it that way), but wanted to enjoy the company of something more affectionate than a goldfish, so along came Lucky. A few years later, I adopted Kitty because I started working full-time and wanted my adult cat to have company. I suppose by most conventional wisdom, I would be a 'cat lady'. I fought this label for years, but have since learned to embrace it. Living alone downtown in a metro, being gone for 9 hours a day - doesn't seem fair to have a dog. That said, I never counted myself as someone who would read 'cat books'. When I saw this pop up on my recommendations (what are you trying to say, Amazon?), I picked it up for my Paperwhite and can honestly say I finished in two days. It was that good. It's hard not to love stories like these, but few of us could actually say we would be willing to take the extra time needed to care for a pet with a disability, and this was the case for Homer, who was nearly put to sleep before ever having a chance at life because he had to lose his eyes in order to live and no one wanted him- there's unfair irony buried in there. Along came Gwen, who with two cats of her own, took on the burden, but quickly found herself amazed by Homer's abilities despite his lack of vision. Some of her stories were slightly far-fetched and there was frequent personification of Homer which I found a bit distracting, but Cooper has a real knack for writing, and it was very clear that Homer was a special cat - and they both needed each other. Some have knocked Cooper for writing too much about herself and not Homer, but I found this one of the better parts of the book. We don't often think we learn things from our pet, but Cooper's adventures with Homer clearly taught her a lot about her life, her values, and her priorities. She had many poignant, memorable quotes throughout this book (which I'll let you discover for yourself), and it was an extremely heart-warming account, filled with several anxiety-laden moments. I seriously couldn't put it down. Since reading this, I've done some research on Homer. Cooper has raised attention to the plight of thousands of disabled animals around the country, and donated even more to these charities, often inspiring others to make room in their life for an animal that has an infinite amount of love to give, but was never given a chance because at the end of the day, looks matter. At the risk of sounding like a cat lady, I became extremely attached to Cooper and her three cats in this book, which made the sequel a lot harder to read (for obvious reasons). The frequent photos of Homer and Cooper's other two cats heading each chapter were an excellent addition. Overpersonification or not, Cooper's way with words and telling both an internal and external story about a little cat that defied everyone's expectations, as well as her own story, makes this an absolute must-read for anyone who loves animals. I'd encourage dog-lovers out there to give this book a chance, as well. It is absolutely no wonder this book ended up on the New York Times Best Seller list. It is engaging, warm, frightening, heart-felt, and well-written to the point that I couldn't put it down. Thank you Gwen, for not only sharing Homer with the rest of the world, but for taking a chance on him when no one else would. He was truly a remarkable cat. "...we love them [animal stories] because they're the closest thing we have to material evidence of an objective moral order...they seem to prove that the things that matter to and move us the most--things like love, courage, loyalty, altruism--aren't just ideas we made up from nothing. To see them demonstrated in other animals proves they're real things, that they exist in the world independently of what humans invent and tell each other in the form of myth or fable."

What an inspiring and delightful story!

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Judyth Raven
April 8, 2013

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

Excellent Book

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Jeff G
February 16, 2024

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!

"I Only Wish That I Could See What That Cat Hears." - Laurence Lerman

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Robert I. Hedges
December 4, 2010

"Homer's Odyssey" is a heartwarming book about the bond between a woman trying to find her place in the world and her unique blind cat. Ask anyone with a cat if their cat is unique, and you will doubtlessly be in for long tales of their feline's most unusual quirks. I personally find those individual idiosyncrasies one of the pleasures of having cats, but Gwen Cooper's cat is unique even among unique cats. More importantly, Cooper is great at explaining why Homer is so special. Homer started out as an abandoned kitten with two eyes so infected they had to be removed. He never knew what it was to see, so he never realized he was different from other cats. Cooper effectively tells his tale, and intertwines it skillfully with her own autobiography along the way. Without question the most difficult part of the book deals with Homer (and Cooper's other two cats) being separated from her in the New York apartment they shared after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Any pet owner (or anyone with a heart for that matter) would realize the trauma the animals were enduring as they were slowly dying of starvation and dehydration, and the simultaneous agony going on inside their human companions trying to get them out of the nightmare. Cooper doesn't pretend that her personal drama on 9/11 and the following days are the biggest tragedy of the disaster of course, but she does paint a vivid picture of someone who loves her animals and will try to help them at all costs. I can certainly sympathize with her. The book is occasionally a tad saccharine, but is worthwhile for anyone who loves animals (especially cats, but any animal lover will appreciate it.) Homer is an amazing cat, and has had an amazing life. In the end I thought Cooper's new husband said it best at their wedding reception when he revealed that "I only wish that I could see what that cat hears." Nobody could have said it better.

If you are a cat lover, this is the book for you!

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Cindie Conley
June 25, 2024

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.