Varjak Paw is a 2003 novel written by British author S. F. Said and illustrated by Dave McKean.[1][2][3][4] The illustrations in this book have a dark "gothic" quality. The novel received the 2003 Smarties Gold Award for the 6–8 years range[5] and has been adapted for other media.
Characters
Varjak Paw, a very young kitten and the protagonist of the story.
Jalal the Paw, a Mesopotamian blue cat who ventured out into the Outside and found a home with the Contessa.
Elder Paw, Varjak's grandfather and one of the few who remembers (part of) The Way of Jalal. And also the one that trusts and talks to Varjak in the family of Jalal.
Sally Bones, the mysterious white cat who lords over the West Side of the city. She knows "The Way".
Razor, Sally Bones' lieutenant.
Ginger, the ruler of the East Side of the city.
The Contessa, the old woman who owns the family of Jalal.
The Gentleman, a mysterious man who appears one day at the Contessa's house.
The Black Cats, two black cats that accompany The Gentleman, perfect fighting machines that are almost invulnerable.
Cludge, a dog who Varjak meets and who saves him from the Gentleman.
Julius Paw, Varjak's older brother
Father, son of Elder Paw, father of Jay, Jerome, Jethro, Julius, and Varjak.
Aunt Juni, mother to Jasmine, aunt to Jay, Jethro, Jerome, Julius, and Varjak.
Mother, mother of Jay, Jethro, Jerome, Julius, and Varjak.
Holly, Varjak’s future mate later on.
Tam, a tabby cat and Holly, and Varjak's best friend.
Background
The book's title and protagonist's name come from Said's own cat named Varjak, whose name is a reference to the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. In the film, one of the main characters, Paul Varjak, has written a book called "Nine Lives". When he and another character look for the book in the library catalog, it is listed as "Nine Lives by Varjak, Paul".[citation needed]
In 2010, composer Julian Philips completed an opera on Varjak Paw, to a libretto by Kit Hesketh-Harvey, performed by The Opera Group in September–November.[7][8]
Film
As of March 2006, Varjak Paw has been optioned by The Jim Henson Company to be developed as an animated family feature film, with Faith Fawusi as director.[9]
