Varjak Paw
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 | This article needs a plot summary. (February 2024) |
 First edition | |
| Author | S. F. Said |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Dave McKean |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
| Publisher | David Fickling Books |
Publication date | 1 January 2003 |
| Media type | hardback paperback |
| Pages | 255 |
| ISBN | 0-385-60415-7 (hardback) ISBN 0-552-54818-9 (paperback) |
| OCLC | 50938878 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S1315 Var 2003 |
| Followed by | The Outlaw Varjak Paw |
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[edit]
- 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[edit]
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[edit]
Theatre[edit]
In October 2013, Playbox Theatre Company took on Varjak Paw in a major multi-media production.[6]
Opera[edit]
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[edit]
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]
Sequel[edit]
The book spawned a sequel in 2005, The Outlaw Varjak Paw.[10][11]
References[edit]
- ^ "Varjak Paw". Fantastic Fiction. Archived from the original on 31 March 2010.
- ^ Roback, Diane; Brown, Jennifer M.; Bean, Joy; Zaleski, Jeff (28 April 2003). "Varjak Paw (Book)". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 250, no. 17. ISSN 0000-0019.
- ^ Burkam, Anita L. (July–August 2003). "Varjak Paw". Horn Book Magazine. Vol. 79, no. 4. ISSN 0018-5078.
- ^ "Varjak Paw (Book)". Kirkus Reviews. Vol. 71, no. 9. 1 May 2003. ISSN 1948-7428.
- ^ "Smarties Book Prize winners 2003". CBBC Newsround. BBC News. 1 December 2003.
- ^ "History". Playbox Theatre. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
- ^ Dammann, Guy (29 September 2008). "Varjak Paw". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Varjak Paw". The Opera Group. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
- ^ "Henson plans 'Varjak Paw' animated film". Muppet Central News. 26 March 2006.
- ^ Saecker, Tasha; Jones, Trevelyn E.; Toth, Luann; Charnizon, Marlene; Grabarek, Daryl; Raben, Dale (February 2006). "The Outlaw Varjak Paw". School Library Journal. 52 (2). ISSN 0362-8930.
- ^ Gorman, James (12 February 2006). "'The Outlaw Varjak Paw,' by SF Said. Illustrated by Dave McKean". The New York Times. p. 19. ISSN 0028-7806. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
