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

by Gwen Cooper

I saw Homer (the cat) on Animal Planet and thought this might be a good read. In short: Gwen Cooper adopts a kitten without eyes. She names him Homer (after the blind poet) and discovers that a lack of sight is not a handicap for this lovable cat.

That’s it. The rest is about the self-centered author, her move from South Beach to NYC, her September 11 experience, and her eventual marriage.

I loved the beginning, in which we meet Gwen’s other cats and Homer. It made me love my own cat even more. But somewhere along the way, the story turns from Homer’s odyssey to Gwen’s journey. Two words, Ms. Cooper: nobody cares.

Still, I liked Homer’s story. I wish that the narrative about Homer hadn’t ended when Gwen moved to New York. But it did.

11/1/10