I bet your first thought was that I'm recommending the classic The Odyssey, which is a very good read, but I'm not. If you never read another heartwarming tale about a beloved pet, read this one. Seriously.
Homer is blind. In fact, Homer had his eyes removed when he was still a kitten, so he has never had the chance to rely on the sense of sight. That, combined with a wonderful, caring owner, makes Homer a, in Gwen Cooper's words, "wonder-cat."
I've read the other ones -- Marley & Me, Dewey, etc. -- but none have touched me the way this story, about a little blind black cat named Homer, has. Cooper has a knack for storytelling and a way to show her readers the very unique personalities of each of her three cats. But, of course, it's Homer who shines. He has no fear. He knows no bounds. He will try anything once. In fact, if he fails, he will try, try again. Instead of taking the easy way out, as Cooper feared when she adopted him, Homer persevered. He grew into an affectionate, lovable, fearless cat who captures the attention and hearts of everyone who meets him.
The book outlines much of Homer's life, chronicling Cooper's string of boyfriends, apartments and roommates, moves from Florida all the way to Manhattan, where she lived on 9/11 -- with her cats. We see not only a portrait of the cat, but also of the author and how her life was affected and shaped by the love she shared with her animals.
