BOOK REVIEW: Homer’s Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
When Gwen Cooper’s veterinarian called to tell her about a BLIND, abandoned three-week-old kitten, she knew she was going to say no. She already had two cats and she didn’t want to be that twenty-something – the one other people talked about, the one with THREE cats. Beside, how good a life could a blind cat have? He’d never be able to do things other cats do, right?
Then she met Homer…and knew this adorable bundle of fur was coming home with her.
Gwen Cooper shares Homer’s journey, and consequently her own, in a tone of gentle wonder and amazement. Homer’s Odyssey: a Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat is the story of three pounds of fearless black fur and his pack –Scarlett, Vashti and his human Gwen. A daredevil who picks flies out of the air, faces life at a full run and regularly scales seven-foot high bookshelves, Homer offers boundless love to the people and animals that share his world.
Homer, being blind since birth, has never understood that, by human standards, he should be incapable of many things. Life for him is about continual discovery, yet this fearlessness causes great stress for the humans in his life. Homer’s belief that he can do anything helps Gwen find the courage to seek out a new career path and helped her discover her talent for writing non-fiction. Homer’s Odyssey could have easily ended up saccharine but Gwen gentle touch found a tone balances emotion, knowledge and laces it liberally with humour.
Homer’s Odyssey is a classic animal story that has important lessons for everyone. This is the perfect book for the animal lover on your holiday list or recent graduate. Homer has important lessons for all of us, about love and living life without limits.
ISBN10: 038534385X
ISBN13: 9780385343855
Hardcover
304 Pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: August 25, 2009
Author’s Website: GwenCooper.com