Varjak Paw

{{Short description|2003 book by S. F. Said}}

{{No plot|date=February 2024}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox book

| image = Varjak Paw.jpg

| caption = First edition

| author = S. F. Said

| illustrator = Dave McKean

| cover_artist =

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| subject =

| genre = Fantasy, Adventure

| publisher = David Fickling Books

| pub_date = 1 January 2003

| media_type = hardback
paperback

| pages = 255

| isbn = 0-385-60415-7

| isbn_note = (hardback)
{{ISBN|0-552-54818-9}} (paperback)

| congress = PZ7.S1315 Var 2003

| oclc = 50938878

| followed_by = The Outlaw Varjak Paw

}}

Varjak Paw is a 2003 novel written by British author S. F. Said and illustrated by Dave McKean.{{Cite web |title=Varjak Paw |url=http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/sf-said/varjak-paw.htm |website=Fantastic Fiction |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331083916/http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/sf-said/varjak-paw.htm |archive-date=March 31, 2010}}{{Cite magazine |last=Roback |first=Diane |last2=Brown |first2=Jennifer M. |last3=Bean |first3=Joy |last4=Zaleski |first4=Jeff |date=2003-04-28 |title=Varjak Paw (Book) |magazine=Publishers Weekly |language=en-US |volume=250 |issue=17 |issn=0000-0019}}{{Cite magazine |last=Burkam |first=Anita L. |date=July-August 2003 |title=Varjak Paw |magazine=Horn Book Magazine |language=en-US |volume=79 |issue=4 |issn=0018-5078}}{{Cite magazine |date=2003-05-01 |title=Varjak Paw (Book) |magazine=Kirkus Reviews |language=en-US |volume=71 |issue=9 |issn=1948-7428}} The illustrations in this book have a dark "gothic" quality. The novel received the 2003 Smarties Gold Award for the 6–8 years range{{Cite news |date=2003-12-01 |title=Smarties Book Prize winners 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk/newsid_3254000/3254284.stm |work=CBBC Newsround |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}} 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.