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Varjak Paw #1
螔维蟻蟿味伪魏 螤慰
螣 螔维蟻蟿味伪魏 螤慰 蔚委谓伪喂 苇谓伪蟼 谓蔚伪蟻蠈蟼 纬维蟿慰蟼 蟺慰蠀 味蔚喂 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 蟺伪位喂维 渭慰谓慰魏伪蟿慰喂魏委伪 蟽蟿畏谓 魏慰蟻蠀蠁萎 蔚谓蠈蟼 位蠈蠁慰蠀.
螘委谓伪喂 纬维蟿慰蟼 蟻维蟿蟽伪蟼, 渭伪胃畏渭苇谓慰蟼 谓伪 蟽蠀渭蟺蔚蟻喂蠁苇蟻蔚蟿伪喂 蠈蟺蠅蟼 伪蟺伪喂蟿蔚委 畏 魏伪蟿伪纬蠅纬萎 蟿慰蠀.
螖蔚谓 苇蠂蔚喂 尾纬蔚喂 蟺慰蟿苇 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 蟽蟺委蟿喂, 纬喂伪蟿委 伪蠀蟿蠈 伪蟺伪纬慰蟻蔚蠉蔚蟿伪喂: 蠈蟺慰喂慰蟼 尾纬伪委谓蔚喂 魏喂谓未蠀谓蔚蠉蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 伪蠀蟿维 蟿伪 蟿苇蟻伪蟿伪 蟺慰蠀 慰喂 维谓胃蟻蠅蟺慰喂 伪蟺慰魏伪位慰蠉谓 芦蟽魏蠀位喂维禄.
螢伪蠁谓喂魏维 蟿伪 蟺蟻维纬渭伪蟿伪 伪位位维味慰蠀谓, 魏伪喂 慰 蟺伪蟺蟺慰蠉蟼 蟿慰蠀 蟿慰蠀 渭喂位维蔚喂 纬喂伪 蟿慰谓 韦蟻蠈蟺慰, 渭喂伪 渭蠀蟽蟿喂魏萎 蟺慰位蔚渭喂魏萎 蟿苇蠂谓畏 纬喂伪 纬维蟿蔚蟼.
韦蠋蟻伪 慰 螔维蟻蟿味伪魏 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 尾纬蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 蟽蟺委蟿喂 魏伪喂 谓伪 蠂蟻畏蟽喂渭慰蟺慰喂萎蟽蔚喂 蟿慰谓 韦蟻蠈蟺慰, 纬喂伪 谓伪 蔚蟺喂尾喂蠋蟽蔚喂 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 蟺蠈位畏 渭蔚 蔚蟺喂魏委谓未蠀谓伪 蟽魏蠀位喂维, 蟽蠀渭渭慰蟻委蔚蟼 纬伪蟿喂蠋谓 魏伪喂, 蟿慰 魏蠀蟻喂蠈蟿蔚蟻慰, 渭蠀蟽蟿畏蟻喂蠋未蔚喂蟼 螘尉伪蠁伪谓委蟽蔚喂蟼...
螘委谓伪喂 纬维蟿慰蟼 蟻维蟿蟽伪蟼, 渭伪胃畏渭苇谓慰蟼 谓伪 蟽蠀渭蟺蔚蟻喂蠁苇蟻蔚蟿伪喂 蠈蟺蠅蟼 伪蟺伪喂蟿蔚委 畏 魏伪蟿伪纬蠅纬萎 蟿慰蠀.
螖蔚谓 苇蠂蔚喂 尾纬蔚喂 蟺慰蟿苇 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 蟽蟺委蟿喂, 纬喂伪蟿委 伪蠀蟿蠈 伪蟺伪纬慰蟻蔚蠉蔚蟿伪喂: 蠈蟺慰喂慰蟼 尾纬伪委谓蔚喂 魏喂谓未蠀谓蔚蠉蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 伪蠀蟿维 蟿伪 蟿苇蟻伪蟿伪 蟺慰蠀 慰喂 维谓胃蟻蠅蟺慰喂 伪蟺慰魏伪位慰蠉谓 芦蟽魏蠀位喂维禄.
螢伪蠁谓喂魏维 蟿伪 蟺蟻维纬渭伪蟿伪 伪位位维味慰蠀谓, 魏伪喂 慰 蟺伪蟺蟺慰蠉蟼 蟿慰蠀 蟿慰蠀 渭喂位维蔚喂 纬喂伪 蟿慰谓 韦蟻蠈蟺慰, 渭喂伪 渭蠀蟽蟿喂魏萎 蟺慰位蔚渭喂魏萎 蟿苇蠂谓畏 纬喂伪 纬维蟿蔚蟼.
韦蠋蟻伪 慰 螔维蟻蟿味伪魏 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 尾纬蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 蟽蟺委蟿喂 魏伪喂 谓伪 蠂蟻畏蟽喂渭慰蟺慰喂萎蟽蔚喂 蟿慰谓 韦蟻蠈蟺慰, 纬喂伪 谓伪 蔚蟺喂尾喂蠋蟽蔚喂 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 蟺蠈位畏 渭蔚 蔚蟺喂魏委谓未蠀谓伪 蟽魏蠀位喂维, 蟽蠀渭渭慰蟻委蔚蟼 纬伪蟿喂蠋谓 魏伪喂, 蟿慰 魏蠀蟻喂蠈蟿蔚蟻慰, 渭蠀蟽蟿畏蟻喂蠋未蔚喂蟼 螘尉伪蠁伪谓委蟽蔚喂蟼...
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2003
285 people are currently reading
5010 people want to read
About the author
S.F. Said
10听books193听followersSaid grew up in the Iraqi diasporic community in London, moving there with his mother at the age of two. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he worked as a press attach茅 and speech writer for the Crown Prince of Jordan鈥檚 office in London. He began a Ph.D. in 1997 looking at the lives of young Muslims in Britain, but left academia to focus on film journalism for the Daily Telegraph 鈥� where he brought attention to much 'world cinema', including contemporary Islamic cinema 鈥� and writing for children
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 632 reviews
September 25, 2018
first, let's focus on the artwork, because i saw this cover somewhere and i knew that i needed to read this book, no matter what its contents. i really do love dave mckean. he has been responsible for some of my favorite jonathan carroll covers, and the man just really knows how to draw cats.
he manages to get cat mannerisms down perfectly with such an economy of line - i love it. the only person whose cats even come close, and with a totally different tone is jeffrey brown:
he gets all the cute stuff - mckean settles for the slinky, creepy, dangerous cats.
fortunately for me, the book is also very good. it is the story of a purebred housecat who goes on a mission to find a "dog" in order to rescue his family from a bad man with two seriously bad cats who have taken over the house. along the way he learns some ancient secret cat fighting tricks in order to survive on the streets and meets some cat gangs and learns about the ways a cat can just go missing on the streets...
said does a good job of juxtaposing the pet cats with the feral ones; the stakes of each and their own particular values and mythologies. and now i am off to read the sequel!!
April 11, 2017
Can't believe this brilliant book has escaped me for so long. Beautifully written and illustrated. Possibly too challenging for my Y3 class but keen to share widely with all children across KS2.
April 15, 2014
Book no 1 of the 16 cat books
Varjak Paw is the only one in his family of noble Mesopotamian Blue cats whose eyes arent green and he is constantly teased and ridiculed for this reason.His older brother even claims this is the reason their owner-the Contessa has stoppedvisiting them and only stays in her room.
One who doesnt make fun of him is his grandfather the Elder Paw and Varjak loves to listen to him tell stories about their ancestor Jalals adventures.
One day a strange Gentleman arrives with two ominiously black cats and takes the contessa away. Varjak and his grandfather are the only ones who thinks to question the weird events,but the others thinks things are just fine-as long as the gentleman keeps feeding them.
The Elder Paw tells Varjak that he needs to go find something called a dog,because its the only thing that can scare the Gentleman away so while the Elder Paw distracts the black cats Varjak sneaks over the wall but he knows they killed his grandfather.
In the end Varjak makes it to the city where he makes friends with two cats who teaches him the ways of the city.But even the city has dangers like rival cat gangs and cats mysteriously going missing.And he still needs to find a dog.
And then there are the Dreams....
This was a great book with actual depth to it and not just a cutesy books about cats.For a middle grade book it actually had some dark themes.
Maybe its not as dark as Felidae but it does feature some unsettling things that had you wonder even at the end of the book what was going on. The fact you only see the story unfold from a cats viewpoint makes some things unclear and makes the villain the Gentleman seem even more twisted than if we had viewed it from a human characters viewpoint.
Varjak was a symphatetic character even if he was far from forceful in his actions and when he finally through his experiences in the city takes charge of things he does suffer a lapse towards the end of the book and falls back into his old role.He gets better though. So its a coming of age story too.
The others characters are cats with some human traits but I never felt they were humans in cats bodies.There were just enough catlike qualities to make them interesting.
There is a sequel called Varjak the Outlaw wich I plan to read.
Varjak Paw is the only one in his family of noble Mesopotamian Blue cats whose eyes arent green and he is constantly teased and ridiculed for this reason.His older brother even claims this is the reason their owner-the Contessa has stoppedvisiting them and only stays in her room.
One who doesnt make fun of him is his grandfather the Elder Paw and Varjak loves to listen to him tell stories about their ancestor Jalals adventures.
One day a strange Gentleman arrives with two ominiously black cats and takes the contessa away. Varjak and his grandfather are the only ones who thinks to question the weird events,but the others thinks things are just fine-as long as the gentleman keeps feeding them.
The Elder Paw tells Varjak that he needs to go find something called a dog,because its the only thing that can scare the Gentleman away so while the Elder Paw distracts the black cats Varjak sneaks over the wall but he knows they killed his grandfather.
In the end Varjak makes it to the city where he makes friends with two cats who teaches him the ways of the city.But even the city has dangers like rival cat gangs and cats mysteriously going missing.And he still needs to find a dog.
And then there are the Dreams....
This was a great book with actual depth to it and not just a cutesy books about cats.For a middle grade book it actually had some dark themes.
Maybe its not as dark as Felidae but it does feature some unsettling things that had you wonder even at the end of the book what was going on. The fact you only see the story unfold from a cats viewpoint makes some things unclear and makes the villain the Gentleman seem even more twisted than if we had viewed it from a human characters viewpoint.
Varjak was a symphatetic character even if he was far from forceful in his actions and when he finally through his experiences in the city takes charge of things he does suffer a lapse towards the end of the book and falls back into his old role.He gets better though. So its a coming of age story too.
The others characters are cats with some human traits but I never felt they were humans in cats bodies.There were just enough catlike qualities to make them interesting.
There is a sequel called Varjak the Outlaw wich I plan to read.
March 3, 2013
I saw this book in the store, and the cat on the front cover was so adorable that I had to buy it for my sister. Of course, then I had to read it before giving it to her!
This is definitely a kids' book - not even YA, but for younger children.
However - it's also an excellent book. McKean's illustrations are perfect for the characters and the story.
Varjak is a young Mesopotamian Blue cat who's been brought up to think he's something special. However, when his owner disappears and a strange and sinister man appears in his family's house, a dream connection with his legendary ancestor leads him to venture into the dangerous outside world, where he learns to reevaluate his priorities - as well as questing to save his family from the danger he's sure they're in.
It's a sweet story - but it's also got some genuinely spooky elements - and it's definitely in the realm of the fantastic.
Oh yeah, and did I mention how excellent Dave McKean's illustrations are? He rocks!
This is definitely a kids' book - not even YA, but for younger children.
However - it's also an excellent book. McKean's illustrations are perfect for the characters and the story.
Varjak is a young Mesopotamian Blue cat who's been brought up to think he's something special. However, when his owner disappears and a strange and sinister man appears in his family's house, a dream connection with his legendary ancestor leads him to venture into the dangerous outside world, where he learns to reevaluate his priorities - as well as questing to save his family from the danger he's sure they're in.
It's a sweet story - but it's also got some genuinely spooky elements - and it's definitely in the realm of the fantastic.
Oh yeah, and did I mention how excellent Dave McKean's illustrations are? He rocks!
October 22, 2016
Almost a life manual for us all. The idea that no one is too special to help others and that comfort zones hold us back seem to have special relevance to the UK's current treatment of refugees.
Clever writing and brilliant characters - it's easy sometimes to forget it's about cats!
Clever writing and brilliant characters - it's easy sometimes to forget it's about cats!
October 21, 2017
This kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Varjak Paw belongs to a family of Mesopotamian Blue pedigree cats who are owned by the Contessa. However, she has rarely been seen recently and when a mysterious gentleman turns up with two uncanny black cats of his own, the Contessa disappears. Being only concerned with comfort, safety and good food, Varjak's family are blissfully ignorant of the dangers Varjak can sense. Plus, Varjak, with his yellow eyes - something no true blue would ever be proud of - has never really fitted in. Only Elder Paw trusts and believes Varjak. Elder's tales of their ancestor, Jalal have always inspired Varjak and filled him with a longing for more. Now, with his family in danger, Varjak must be inspired once, this time into action and to venturing into the Outside. Varjak must face many dangers; cat gangs, cars, dogs and the strange Vanishings, before he can fulfil his potential and save his friends and family.
Will Varjak ever belong? Follow him as he learns important lessons, not least how to believe in yourself and to recognise true friendship.
There is adventure and mystery in this novel, along with a smattering of martial arts and a touch of 101 Dalmatians. The effect of the language is wonderful and is accompanied by subtle yet effective images. It was one that I instantly wanted to read aloud, so dramatic is the action. A wonderful read - especially for a confirmed cat person.
Will Varjak ever belong? Follow him as he learns important lessons, not least how to believe in yourself and to recognise true friendship.
There is adventure and mystery in this novel, along with a smattering of martial arts and a touch of 101 Dalmatians. The effect of the language is wonderful and is accompanied by subtle yet effective images. It was one that I instantly wanted to read aloud, so dramatic is the action. A wonderful read - especially for a confirmed cat person.
February 22, 2025
Once again a matriarchal society has been transformed into a patriarchal one, largely inhabited by male characters, but still, it's about cats, so I had to love it. Plus I really love that cover with the golden eyes. And yes, I did google to see if the breed really existed.
***
Casting about for the next read-aloud after the Penderwicks, we struck on this. Glad I finished it last month. Also, very glad that the McKean illustrations aren't as disturbing as the ones he does for Gaimain's books.
***
It's a cat adventure, therefor good. But this second time through, I'm thinking about the cliche of special training, and the hero who is unusually adept even before the training.
Also, I'm wincing from the contempt for the hunting abilities of pets. I know a cat who doesn't have claws and still managed to kill a mouse by pushing a carton of sodas over on top of it. Pets can kill, too.
***
2008 September 16
Ah, the ending is even better when I'm reading aloud. I"m already looking forward to the sequel.
***
Casting about for the next read-aloud after the Penderwicks, we struck on this. Glad I finished it last month. Also, very glad that the McKean illustrations aren't as disturbing as the ones he does for Gaimain's books.
***
It's a cat adventure, therefor good. But this second time through, I'm thinking about the cliche of special training, and the hero who is unusually adept even before the training.
Also, I'm wincing from the contempt for the hunting abilities of pets. I know a cat who doesn't have claws and still managed to kill a mouse by pushing a carton of sodas over on top of it. Pets can kill, too.
***
2008 September 16
Ah, the ending is even better when I'm reading aloud. I"m already looking forward to the sequel.
October 18, 2015
I originally gave this book 2 stars, I felt it was unrealistic and dull, no doubt because the whole idea of a kung-fu cat turned me off before I had even started reading, so I didn't give it a chance. Upon discussion, I realised I was being unfair and was persuaded to re-read it. The second time I found myself liking the characters, even though I knew the ending I still worried when they were in danger and felt their true friendships on the cold hard streets of the city, I willed them on their way. I realised how brave Varjak was, how fiercely loyal Holly was, and how gentle and sweet Tam was, and enjoyed the characters and the story with much more depth.
March 27, 2016
I bought this at a book sale one day and I only bought it because it had a cat on its cover...and I am not disappointed. What can I say? I'm a cat person!
Although this is more of a children's book and I could totally predict what could happen, I still found myself enjoying it. Teaches some lessons and the artwork is pretty neat.
Although this is more of a children's book and I could totally predict what could happen, I still found myself enjoying it. Teaches some lessons and the artwork is pretty neat.
June 18, 2012
Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamium Blue kitten, living in a house on top of a hill, he has never left the high walls that surround the Contessa's garden.
His family are happy to recline in the knowledge that a strange man will feed them caviar, as they admire their own handsome pedigree. Varjak however is bored, an outcast, unlike his siblings his name doesn't begin with J and he has eyes the colour of danger - he is desperate to see the world outside of the contessa's house. Armed with the wise words of Elder paw, Varjak learns the way of Jalal an ancient marshall art passed down through his ancestors.
I am currently reading this book with my 3c guided reading group. A great text for inference and discussion about feelings. Varjak is bullied by his siblings and ends up entering in to a dark world of gangs and danger. I read this over 2 nights and thoroughly enjoyed it and the story really engaged my group from the very beginning.
I am looking forward to reading the next installment, The Outlaw Varjak Paw!
His family are happy to recline in the knowledge that a strange man will feed them caviar, as they admire their own handsome pedigree. Varjak however is bored, an outcast, unlike his siblings his name doesn't begin with J and he has eyes the colour of danger - he is desperate to see the world outside of the contessa's house. Armed with the wise words of Elder paw, Varjak learns the way of Jalal an ancient marshall art passed down through his ancestors.
I am currently reading this book with my 3c guided reading group. A great text for inference and discussion about feelings. Varjak is bullied by his siblings and ends up entering in to a dark world of gangs and danger. I read this over 2 nights and thoroughly enjoyed it and the story really engaged my group from the very beginning.
I am looking forward to reading the next installment, The Outlaw Varjak Paw!
April 24, 2017
Brilliant book! Vividly imagined by SF Said with stunning illustrations by Dave McKean. This is a must-read for MG fans.
June 23, 2019
Varjak Paw is the eponymous hero of S F Said鈥檚 children鈥檚 book about a young cat with heavy responsibilities on his little furry shoulders. As pedigree Mesopotamian Blues, Varjak Paw and his family live a privileged life, sharing the home of a wealthy Countess who has kept them in style since their ancestor, Jalal Paw, made his way to her home from far off Mesopotamia. Grandfather Elder Paw is the family patriarch but his influence is declining. When young Varjak Paw discovers that all is not well in the Countess鈥檚 house and finds that a 鈥楪entleman鈥� with two big black cats has moved in, Elder Paw takes his grandson鈥檚 reports seriously. Elder Paw understands that the Countess has gone and that nothing can be the same again and he urges the family to fight back against this danger but the family are spoiled and complacent. Their china dishes are filled with delicious foods, their litter trays are emptied, they have no reason to rebel. Ridiculed and deposed by a younger family member, Elder Paw tells his grandson Varjak Paw that the only thing which can save the family is a dog because humans are scared of dogs. He tells Varjak Paw that he must go 鈥極utside鈥� and find a dog to help the Paw family to overcome the danger.
This book is the story of what happens when a brave and inquisitive little cat with a big heart and an eagerness to know the ways of his forefathers leaves the safety of his comfortable home to take on the dangers of the outside world.
I wouldn鈥檛 normally read children鈥檚 books. I do occasionally make an exception and dabble in the 鈥榊oung Adult鈥� genre, but usually more by accident than design. I certainly don鈥檛 go looking for illustrated children鈥檚 books. When my husband returned from a visit to my sister with a copy of 鈥榁arjak Paw鈥� I was baffled as to why I鈥檇 been sent such a book to read. I knew I couldn鈥檛 just say 鈥楾hank you鈥� and hide it on the shelf since the book came with instructions to send it back because she hadn鈥檛 read it yet. I took the bull by the horns, ran a hot bath and started reading. My expectations were not very high.
Much to my surprise I loved this book and despite the illustrations, I didn鈥檛 feel at all as if I were reading a children鈥檚 story. In fact, Dave McKean鈥檚 illustrations were beautiful and added enormously to the enjoyment of the book. In no way did I feel patronised or talked down to by the writer.
The book follows a structure in which the young cat learns step by step to understand and implement the seven secrets of 鈥楾he Way鈥� from his long-dead ancestor, Jalal, via a series of dreams in which the older cat explains to him how to be a proper cat. Varjak Paw鈥檚 family have been indoor cats for so many generations that they have lost their feline knowledge of how to hunt, how to fight and 鈥� in effect 鈥� how to be proper cats. If Varjak Paw is to help his family, he has to learn the old ways and he has to learn them quickly since he鈥檚 a kitty with no street smarts and no experience of how to look after himself. He鈥檚 also a lonely little chap, ostracised by his litter mates and his cousins for having the 鈥榳rong鈥� colour eyes, taunted for not being a real Mesopotamian Blue.
With the help of two street cats, Molly and Tam, and with the dream advice of Jalal, Varjak Paw learns the old ways and puts them into practice, learning to fight and to hunt for food, taking on the power of the gangs and discovering the secret of the frightening 鈥榁anishings鈥� that the street cats all fear. He also learns about the power of friendship and the empowerment of being self-reliant. As the readers realise what鈥檚 really going on, why the street cats are vanishing, I couldn鈥檛 help thinking that this was a pretty upsetting story for young readers.
When our hero eventually returns to his family home with the help of his new friends, he鈥檚 shocked to find that the Mesopotamian Blues want nothing to do with Holly because she鈥檚 not a pure bred cat of their own breed. Readers will quickly realise that this kitty racism and classism is not acceptable. Varjak Paw鈥檚 family know that evil is happening in their house but its happening to 鈥榦ther鈥� cats and so it鈥檚 not their concern. Bad things happen to the common cats, not to the pure pedigree cats like them. I was reminded of the multiple times throughout history when people have turned a blind eye to the abuse of others who belong to groups that are not their own. How many people decided not to concern themselves with history鈥檚 episodes of 鈥榚thnic cleansing鈥� just because it was safer to keep their heads down and not make a fuss about something that was happening to another group? I have no idea, of course, whether this is what SF Said intended to convey through his story, but it was the message that I took away.
I had never heard of S F Said but I checked out his background on Wikipedia learned that he was born in Beirut, spent time in Jordan and then grew up in a community of Iraqis in exile in London. Perhaps my assumptions about the persecution of outsiders and the acceptance of turning a blind eye to evil are rooted in his family history.
Younger readers can take this story at face value, whilst older can be prompted to think of more heavy issues around responsibility, turning a blind eye and respecting the ways of the past. I don鈥檛 have children so I can only review this from an adult point of view although I know this would have been a book I鈥檇 have loved when I was a child. For most of the time I was reading, I was thinking that if my little cat Bagheera could read, this is exactly the sort of kitty adventure story he鈥檇 want to read or have read to him. Not that he needs ANY training in how to kill or fight or how to be a cat but every little kitty needs a hero.
This book is the story of what happens when a brave and inquisitive little cat with a big heart and an eagerness to know the ways of his forefathers leaves the safety of his comfortable home to take on the dangers of the outside world.
I wouldn鈥檛 normally read children鈥檚 books. I do occasionally make an exception and dabble in the 鈥榊oung Adult鈥� genre, but usually more by accident than design. I certainly don鈥檛 go looking for illustrated children鈥檚 books. When my husband returned from a visit to my sister with a copy of 鈥榁arjak Paw鈥� I was baffled as to why I鈥檇 been sent such a book to read. I knew I couldn鈥檛 just say 鈥楾hank you鈥� and hide it on the shelf since the book came with instructions to send it back because she hadn鈥檛 read it yet. I took the bull by the horns, ran a hot bath and started reading. My expectations were not very high.
Much to my surprise I loved this book and despite the illustrations, I didn鈥檛 feel at all as if I were reading a children鈥檚 story. In fact, Dave McKean鈥檚 illustrations were beautiful and added enormously to the enjoyment of the book. In no way did I feel patronised or talked down to by the writer.
The book follows a structure in which the young cat learns step by step to understand and implement the seven secrets of 鈥楾he Way鈥� from his long-dead ancestor, Jalal, via a series of dreams in which the older cat explains to him how to be a proper cat. Varjak Paw鈥檚 family have been indoor cats for so many generations that they have lost their feline knowledge of how to hunt, how to fight and 鈥� in effect 鈥� how to be proper cats. If Varjak Paw is to help his family, he has to learn the old ways and he has to learn them quickly since he鈥檚 a kitty with no street smarts and no experience of how to look after himself. He鈥檚 also a lonely little chap, ostracised by his litter mates and his cousins for having the 鈥榳rong鈥� colour eyes, taunted for not being a real Mesopotamian Blue.
With the help of two street cats, Molly and Tam, and with the dream advice of Jalal, Varjak Paw learns the old ways and puts them into practice, learning to fight and to hunt for food, taking on the power of the gangs and discovering the secret of the frightening 鈥榁anishings鈥� that the street cats all fear. He also learns about the power of friendship and the empowerment of being self-reliant. As the readers realise what鈥檚 really going on, why the street cats are vanishing, I couldn鈥檛 help thinking that this was a pretty upsetting story for young readers.
When our hero eventually returns to his family home with the help of his new friends, he鈥檚 shocked to find that the Mesopotamian Blues want nothing to do with Holly because she鈥檚 not a pure bred cat of their own breed. Readers will quickly realise that this kitty racism and classism is not acceptable. Varjak Paw鈥檚 family know that evil is happening in their house but its happening to 鈥榦ther鈥� cats and so it鈥檚 not their concern. Bad things happen to the common cats, not to the pure pedigree cats like them. I was reminded of the multiple times throughout history when people have turned a blind eye to the abuse of others who belong to groups that are not their own. How many people decided not to concern themselves with history鈥檚 episodes of 鈥榚thnic cleansing鈥� just because it was safer to keep their heads down and not make a fuss about something that was happening to another group? I have no idea, of course, whether this is what SF Said intended to convey through his story, but it was the message that I took away.
I had never heard of S F Said but I checked out his background on Wikipedia learned that he was born in Beirut, spent time in Jordan and then grew up in a community of Iraqis in exile in London. Perhaps my assumptions about the persecution of outsiders and the acceptance of turning a blind eye to evil are rooted in his family history.
Younger readers can take this story at face value, whilst older can be prompted to think of more heavy issues around responsibility, turning a blind eye and respecting the ways of the past. I don鈥檛 have children so I can only review this from an adult point of view although I know this would have been a book I鈥檇 have loved when I was a child. For most of the time I was reading, I was thinking that if my little cat Bagheera could read, this is exactly the sort of kitty adventure story he鈥檇 want to read or have read to him. Not that he needs ANY training in how to kill or fight or how to be a cat but every little kitty needs a hero.
November 10, 2023
I remember being absolutely haunted by this book when I read it as a child, and it is still haunting to this day. There's something so grand and terrifying about this book. It has a deep mythos combined with the matter-of-fact language of a classic. I think some points of the plot could've been clearer, but that still lends itself well to the tones of fear and mystery in the story. There's real danger in Varjak's world, and let's be real the name Varjak Paw is so badass it sounds like the name of a hardened cat assassin
Also I think little repressed Annalise knew that the central message of trusting yourself would do her good:)
Also I think little repressed Annalise knew that the central message of trusting yourself would do her good:)
April 2, 2025
My year 6s loved it and so did I 馃ぃ
September 10, 2023
I read this years ago and then decided to read it again as I found it while cleaning my shelves. It鈥檚 a wholesome story, though a tad bit confusing. Main character is a cat though, so I can鈥檛 complain.
July 5, 2023
The Angst!!!
November 21, 2017
My sister is doing a reading competition for her school and was given a bunch of books to read, and this was one of them. I try not to pass up a chance at reading free books, even if they're ones I wouldn't pick out of a bookshop, and thankfully Varjak Paw, though a children's book, turned out to be a great read - extremely easy and fast to get through without being boring at any point, it had lovable main characters and beautiful atmospheric illustrations (as expected of Dave McKean, whose work I was familiar with from Coraline [he was half the reason that book gave me nightmares]).
It did confuse me sometimes though - it was only until I literally turned the last page and closed the cover to see the preview of the second book on the back, which featured the blurb "The Kung-Fu Kitty is Back", that I realized that I should have been visualizing all the fight scenes in a martial arts sense rather than just, you know, cat fights. All through the book I'd had trouble imagining how cats could fight using such fancy moves in my mind. There was also the matter of the "toy cats" that play a role in the end; I'd initially thought of them as normal battery-powered talking cat toys, then taxidermied cats, but then it seemed more like they were some kind of mind-controlled robot/cat hybrids...? And finally, it felt to me like Varjak's successes were too easily handed to him; he basically became a warrior through deus ex machina dreams and was able to use new Skills almost as soon as he learned them, after only being shown them once or in some cases just having them explained to him. And in the first place, it's never really explained why he has these lucid dreams.
All this, along with the basic, tired plot of "main character is shunned by family because he is different and doesn't conform to what they think is normal but finds out he is different because he is special" stopped me just short of giving it four stars. Despite that, it was an undeniably fun read, and I'd have to say it would make a great movie, in a stylized and artistic sense or gritty and dark sense like Watership Down (not in a kiddy CG-animated cash grab sense, blegh).
It did confuse me sometimes though - it was only until I literally turned the last page and closed the cover to see the preview of the second book on the back, which featured the blurb "The Kung-Fu Kitty is Back", that I realized that I should have been visualizing all the fight scenes in a martial arts sense rather than just, you know, cat fights. All through the book I'd had trouble imagining how cats could fight using such fancy moves in my mind. There was also the matter of the "toy cats" that play a role in the end; I'd initially thought of them as normal battery-powered talking cat toys, then taxidermied cats, but then it seemed more like they were some kind of mind-controlled robot/cat hybrids...? And finally, it felt to me like Varjak's successes were too easily handed to him; he basically became a warrior through deus ex machina dreams and was able to use new Skills almost as soon as he learned them, after only being shown them once or in some cases just having them explained to him. And in the first place, it's never really explained why he has these lucid dreams.
All this, along with the basic, tired plot of "main character is shunned by family because he is different and doesn't conform to what they think is normal but finds out he is different because he is special" stopped me just short of giving it four stars. Despite that, it was an undeniably fun read, and I'd have to say it would make a great movie, in a stylized and artistic sense or gritty and dark sense like Watership Down (not in a kiddy CG-animated cash grab sense, blegh).
August 21, 2012
This thrilling story follows Varjak Paw, a Mesopotamian Blue cat living in the house of Contessa on top of a hill. His family bully and ignore him, and his eyes are the 'colour of danger'. Varjak Paw is successfully portrayed as different to everybody else (something that some children may be able to relate to), and soon becomes increasingly desperate to see the world outside of the Contessa's house, something he has never done.
The Contessa soon becomes sick, and when a sinister man with two black cats comes onto the scene, Varjak is certain that the Contessa is dead. Varjak's desire to leave the house on the hill becomes reality when the Elder Paw, the head of the family, tells Varjak to journey to the outside and to bring back a dog to scare the man away. Eager to succeed, Varjak learns the way of Jalal, an ancient martial art passed down through his ancestors. S.F. Said's choice to mix cat behaviour with martial arts is really effective, whilst the beautiful illustrations by Dave McKean help bring the story to the next level.
In the story, Varjak also learns about sacrifice, prejudice and how to build relationships, making this book ideal for discussion about feelings. Although the story is simple, it is fast-paced and had me gripped from start to finish. It's a pleasantly creepy story, and the mood is pretty dark a lot of the time. The ideas are very original and S.F. Said adds suspense sufficiently. Said's beautiful use of metaphors and similes make this literate, challenging and engaging enough for children, and the unpredictable ending will make this book very memorable.
Although appealing to children, Varjak Paw has many qualities that a variety of ages would appreciate. With its dark nature, I feel that it would not be appropriate for very young children, however this is a fantastic choice for children that love a creepy adventure!
May 17, 2021
I read this to two of my grandchildren, they enjoyed it enormously and voted it five stars. We had to read it on FaceTime, because of lockdown, and the boys loved the interaction - they phoned me in the evening after their bath, and I read to them. Varjak Paw is a Mesopotamian Blue cat, who lives in the Contessa鈥檚 house with his family of cats. However, she dies and a Gentleman and his two black cats come to the house and take over - Varjak knows instinctively that he is not to be trusted and escapes. He then makes his way into the town - he has never been out of the house before, and he is very frightened. When he sleeps though, he dreams that his ancestor Jalal is with him - and Jalal teaches him the seven skills he needs to survive. Varjak makes friends with two other outcast cats and not only does he have to fight to exist in a very hostile place, but he has to fight the Gentleman and his black cats in order to set his family free.
September 6, 2015
韦慰 尾喂尾位委慰 蟺蟻慰慰蟻委味蔚蟿伪喂 纬喂伪 渭喂伪 蟺慰位蠉 蟽蟿蔚谓萎 畏位喂魏喂伪魏萎 慰渭维未伪, 伪蠀蟿萎 蟿蠅谓 8-14 蔚蟿蠋谓. 螕喂伪 蟿畏谓 慰渭维未伪 伪蠀蟿萎 蔚委谓伪喂 蔚谓未喂伪蠁苇蟻慰谓, 蔚蠀魏慰位慰未喂维尾伪蟽蟿慰 魏伪喂 渭蔚 渭畏谓蠉渭伪蟿伪 蟺慰蠀 蟺伪位蔚蠉慰蠀谓 谓伪 渭畏谓 喂蟽慰蟺蔚未蠅胃慰蠉谓 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏 蟽魏位畏蟻萎 蟺蟻伪纬渭伪蟿喂魏蠈蟿畏蟿伪.
危蟿慰蠀蟼 蠀蟺蠈位慰喂蟺慰蠀蟼 未蔚谓 渭蟺慰蟻蔚委 谓伪 未蠋蟽蔚喂 魏维蟿喂, 蟺苇蟻伪谓 蟿慰蠀 谓伪 蟺蔚蟻维蟽慰蠀谓 蟿畏谓 蠋蟻伪 蟿慰蠀蟼 蠈蟿伪谓 未蔚谓 蠀蟺维蟻蠂蔚喂 魏维蟿喂 魏伪位蠉蟿蔚蟻慰 谓伪 魏维谓慰蠀谓.
螆谓伪蟼 蟽蠀渭蟺伪胃萎蟼, 维尾纬伪位蟿慰蟼 纬维蟿慰蟼 蟻维蟿蟽伪蟼 (渭维胃伪渭蔚 魏伪喂 蟿畏 蟻维蟿蟽伪 螠蟺位蔚 蟿畏蟼 螠蔚蟽慰蟺慰蟿伪渭委伪蟼) 蠁蔚蠉纬蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 蟽蟺委蟿喂 蟿慰蠀 纬喂伪 谓伪 纬谓蠅蟻委蟽蔚喂 蟿慰 螆尉蠅. 危喂纬维 蟽喂纬维 魏伪喂 渭蔚 蟿畏 尾慰萎胃蔚喂伪 蟺喂慰 蟺蔚蟻蟺伪蟿畏渭苇谓蠅谓 纬维蟿蠅谓 伪位位维 魏伪喂 蔚谓蠈蟼 蟺蟻慰纬蠈谓慰蠀 - 萎蟻蠅伪 魏伪蟿伪蠁苇蟻谓蔚喂 谓伪 尉蔚尾纬伪位胃蔚委 蟽蟿慰谓 魏蠈蟽渭慰 魏伪喂 谓伪 畏纬畏胃蔚委 渭喂伪蟼 慰渭维未伪蟼 蟺蔚蟻喂蟺蔚蟿蔚喂蠋谓 蟺慰蠀 蠁伪委谓蔚蟿伪喂 蠈蟿喂 胃伪 伪魏慰位慰蠀胃萎蟽慰蠀谓.
螌渭慰蟻蠁慰 蔚尉蠋蠁蠀位位慰 魏伪喂 蔚尉委蟽慰蠀 蠈渭慰蟻蠁畏 魏伪喂 蔚谓未喂伪蠁苇蟻慰蠀蟽伪 蔚喂魏慰谓慰纬蟻维蠁畏蟽畏.
危蟿慰蠀蟼 蠀蟺蠈位慰喂蟺慰蠀蟼 未蔚谓 渭蟺慰蟻蔚委 谓伪 未蠋蟽蔚喂 魏维蟿喂, 蟺苇蟻伪谓 蟿慰蠀 谓伪 蟺蔚蟻维蟽慰蠀谓 蟿畏谓 蠋蟻伪 蟿慰蠀蟼 蠈蟿伪谓 未蔚谓 蠀蟺维蟻蠂蔚喂 魏维蟿喂 魏伪位蠉蟿蔚蟻慰 谓伪 魏维谓慰蠀谓.
螆谓伪蟼 蟽蠀渭蟺伪胃萎蟼, 维尾纬伪位蟿慰蟼 纬维蟿慰蟼 蟻维蟿蟽伪蟼 (渭维胃伪渭蔚 魏伪喂 蟿畏 蟻维蟿蟽伪 螠蟺位蔚 蟿畏蟼 螠蔚蟽慰蟺慰蟿伪渭委伪蟼) 蠁蔚蠉纬蔚喂 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 蟽蟺委蟿喂 蟿慰蠀 纬喂伪 谓伪 纬谓蠅蟻委蟽蔚喂 蟿慰 螆尉蠅. 危喂纬维 蟽喂纬维 魏伪喂 渭蔚 蟿畏 尾慰萎胃蔚喂伪 蟺喂慰 蟺蔚蟻蟺伪蟿畏渭苇谓蠅谓 纬维蟿蠅谓 伪位位维 魏伪喂 蔚谓蠈蟼 蟺蟻慰纬蠈谓慰蠀 - 萎蟻蠅伪 魏伪蟿伪蠁苇蟻谓蔚喂 谓伪 尉蔚尾纬伪位胃蔚委 蟽蟿慰谓 魏蠈蟽渭慰 魏伪喂 谓伪 畏纬畏胃蔚委 渭喂伪蟼 慰渭维未伪蟼 蟺蔚蟻喂蟺蔚蟿蔚喂蠋谓 蟺慰蠀 蠁伪委谓蔚蟿伪喂 蠈蟿喂 胃伪 伪魏慰位慰蠀胃萎蟽慰蠀谓.
螌渭慰蟻蠁慰 蔚尉蠋蠁蠀位位慰 魏伪喂 蔚尉委蟽慰蠀 蠈渭慰蟻蠁畏 魏伪喂 蔚谓未喂伪蠁苇蟻慰蠀蟽伪 蔚喂魏慰谓慰纬蟻维蠁畏蟽畏.
October 19, 2015
This novel is so much more than a story about a cat leaving its sheltered home life for the city in search of a dog to save his family. It works on many different levels to question life as an outcast; from your own family, from your own society and your own environment. The main character, Varjak Paw is given advice with almost mystical, Eastern powers to solve problems that he encounters on his journey; if he chooses to apply them, and these help him to become streetwise and learn more about the true values and meaning of friendship. The book concludes with a challenge to the reader to decide whether the way a character chooses to live their life should be based on family commitments, or personal choice.
October 20, 2015
My boyfriend suggested I read this while I was ill this week (I was reading Station Eleven, which is not a comforting book when you've got the flu!!) and it was a brilliant idea. A really lovely story with beautiful illustrations, which genuinely touched me.
May 12, 2016
I can't begin to explain how awesome this book is.
Review to come
Review to come
October 21, 2022
Found a full class set of these buried in our resource room, trying it out with a young year 6 boy who doesn鈥檛 love trying new things and has been stuck on the lost cat, Holly Webb type book for a long time and found Atticus Claw not quite cutting it and starting the Warriors series a bit daunting. I鈥檓 hopeful this one will work better, with the tendency towards martial arts survival skills for a cat used to home comforts being thrust out into the world of stray cats. And I will look for the new one Tyger.
August 29, 2021
GOOD BOOK HIGHLY RECOMMEND MARTIAL ARTS CATS
December 24, 2023
I liked this book alot because Varjak was a underdog and then his family began to like him as he saved the family
May 30, 2024
3.5*
never underestimate the undercat
never underestimate the undercat
September 2, 2024
Leitura leve para p煤blico juvenil e n茫o s贸鈥�
Soube bem depois de umas leituras mais pesadas! Para fazer uma esp茅cie de pausa! E n茫o vou esconder que 茅 agrad谩vel ler um texto acompanhado de ilustra莽玫es t茫o fant谩sticas!
Soube bem depois de umas leituras mais pesadas! Para fazer uma esp茅cie de pausa! E n茫o vou esconder que 茅 agrad谩vel ler um texto acompanhado de ilustra莽玫es t茫o fant谩sticas!
November 6, 2023
When on placement in a mixed yr3/4 class, we shared this book and it was fantastic!
I had the pleasure of teaching the guided reading sessions for this book and not only was it enjoyable for the pupils but so engaging for me which really helped improve my questioning skills and confidence when sharing novels with pupils.
Varjak paw starts off as a cautious cat who has never been outside before and grows into an adventurous explorer who saves the fate of his family. Despite all of the obstacles that he faced on his journey, Varjak channels the presence of his ancestor elder paw and learns 鈥楾he way鈥� of Jalal.
I had the pleasure of teaching the guided reading sessions for this book and not only was it enjoyable for the pupils but so engaging for me which really helped improve my questioning skills and confidence when sharing novels with pupils.
Varjak paw starts off as a cautious cat who has never been outside before and grows into an adventurous explorer who saves the fate of his family. Despite all of the obstacles that he faced on his journey, Varjak channels the presence of his ancestor elder paw and learns 鈥楾he way鈥� of Jalal.
February 25, 2018
This book basically reeled me in at the library when I realized it was talking about ninja cats. Yeah, that's right. And I was not disappointed at all. This book was adorable. Adorable. But also subtly creepy. You don't get any backstory on the mystery, you have no idea what is going on or why - which is pretty common in kids books, but still is a little alarming in this one. The characters are cute, but simple, and of course Varjak takes to the Way quickly because, hey, it's a kids book. And he is an awesome cat.
But my most absolute favorite of all is Cudge. So cute and sweet.
It stood alone really well on it's own, but I am interested in reading the 2nd in the series to see where it goes.
But my most absolute favorite of all is Cudge. So cute and sweet.
It stood alone really well on it's own, but I am interested in reading the 2nd in the series to see where it goes.
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