Varjak Paw

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Varjak Paw (2003) is a novel by the 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 main protagonist of the story.
• Jalal the Paw, a Mesopotamian blue cat who ventured out into the Outside and found a home with the Countessa.
• Elder Paw, Varjak's grandfather and one of the few who remembers (part of) The Way 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.
• 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]}

Adaptations

Theatre

In October 2013, Playbox Theatre Company took on Varjak Paw in a major multi-media production.^[6]

Opera

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

The book spawned a sequel in 2005, The Outlaw Varjak Paw.^[10][11]

References