![]() First edition | |
Author | S. F. Said |
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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.
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 October 2013, Playbox Theatre Company took on Varjak Paw in a major multi-media production.[6]
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]
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]
The book spawned a sequel in 2005, The Outlaw Varjak Paw.[10][11]