Customer Reviews

Varjak Paw

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a book about an indoor cat, named Varjak Paw, one of the youngest of his family. Then the person that has been his family's owner for generations dies and a man with two very strange black cats appears. Elder Paw, the oldest in the family, tells Varjak about the Way of Jalal, but much of it has been lost through the ages. Jalal is his ancestor who traveled from Mesopotamia to the Contessa's house (where they live now). Varjak sets out to the city to find a "dog" to help them. In his dreams he is taught by Jalal "the Way". In the city he makes new friends and new enemies. I don't want to give any more away so you'll have to read the book to find out the ending. The ending is very surprising.

I honestley picked this book off of the booksore shelf because the cover is awesome, but I'm glad I did because it's ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER!
Varjak Paw and his family live in an old house perched way up on a hill. He has lived there all his life (he's only a kitten, so he hasn't been alive very long. But still, I would get bored too) and is beggining to get restless. The tales of his ancestor, Jalal the warrior cat, make hime even more restless. Varjak wants adventure, and one day hr gets it.
When a strange man enters the contessa's house, Varjak senses that this man is up to no good. Then he sees the mans cats - bigger, faster, stronger, blacker, and more powerful than any cat he's ever seen before. Now Varjak knows this man is trouble. The Elder Paw also senses danger. He takes Varjak in a corner and tells Varjak a secret, an old secret, a secret that has been in the family for a long time. The secret is about The Way, a kind of martial arts for cats.
Varjak is forced to abandon his home in order to find a dog to scare away the gentleman and save his family. Accompanied by two street cats, Holly and Tam, varjak sets out into the city. Now Varjak must use The Way and every ounce of courage in him to survive the gangs and mysterious Vanishings and fulfill the quest. But can Varjak find a dog and save his family before it's too late?
You should really read this book, even if you dont like cats, because it is EXCELLENT.

Varjak Paw is a young cat -- an aristocat, if you will -- who doesn't fit in with his snobby family. When the cats' pampered way of life is threatened, Varjak ventures out into the big bad world to fetch help. Along the way he meets loyal friends, fearsome enemies, and learns a sort of martial art for cats that is not as stupid as I just made it sound.

This is one of the most well-constructed books I've read in a while. The writing is smooth and elegant, yet the adventure never lets up. Adult and young-adult readers will find much to enjoy -- and learn from -- in this exciting and wise tale.

Enticed by the wonderful Dave McKean illustrations, I bought this even though it's a children's book. I love it! "Varjak Paw" is one of those crossover works which is sure to be a hit with young and old. I sense a cult classic in-the-making here. My only criticism is, I felt the ending was ever so slightly anti-climactic. Nevertheless, it's thought-provoking and highly imaginative, boasting a rich array of characters; some endearing, some scary - all memorable. It's also original, even if the 'hero having to learn and grow to find himself' theme is not. This book will stand up to repeat readings, which is important for young readers. You don't have to like cats to enjoy it, though you may look at them in a different way after reading "Varjak Paw".

What I would love now? For Pixar Productions, the makers of 'Finding Nemo', to make "Varjak" into a fabulous film.

This is a wonderful book. Falling somewhere in between child and adult fiction (and so finding the rare alchemy of appealing to both children and their parents) SF Said has created a world that explores the spiritual essence of 'cathood' as well as written a sweet coming-of-age story about a kitten who has the wrong coloured eyes. But I don't want to mislead you with allusions to charm and loveliness - this features a real, and terrifying antagonist - the Man with the Black Shoes. He is accompanied at all times by two huge, black cats who will destroy and kill anything on command.

When Varjak escapes to the Outside world (from his sheltered, protected upbringing) to find a Dog to scare off the Man with the Black Shoes who has killed his grandfather, he meets Holly - a streetwise, scruffy cat who educates him to the rules of the Gangs and the strange occurrings of the Vanishings.

Whilst all this is happening in the 'real' world, in his dreamlife, Varjak meanwhile is being taught the seven secrets by his legendary ancestor. During these moments we disappear into orange Mesopotamia where Varjak learns to hunt, become 'aware' and 'shadow-walk'.

The book is illustrated by Dave McKean - and this collaboration works wonderfully. Not only are his drawings and interpretations beautiful and striking, but Said's writing at times feels directly descended from the simplicity of the verbal narrative of graphic novels. Thus McKean's drawings are not mere accompaniments to a text, but the story might feel lacking without them.

This is a new and exciting world, and accomplished in its apparent simplicity. But I assure you there is nothing simple about this book: you will be thinking about the story for days, and if you are anything like me, will re-read it immediately and compulsively.

This is one of the best books ever! It is just as good as Harry Potter! If you like this book then you should buy Warriors by Erin Hunter. I give this a two thubs up!

(I'm fourteen, fifteen in a month. Here's how someone my age reviews this book...)

I was at my sister's school's book fair, and I'm quite the sucker for animal stories. When I saw this on the shelves, I immediately bought it, as the summary looked promising (Or I could say that I liked the cover, but we aren't supposed to judge books by covers, are we? :P )

Overall, I got what I wanted: an entertaining, fun, and interesting read. What more, this book was for children, so my sister (age seven) could read it in a few years, or I could read it to her. It seems like a fun read-aloud for younger kids.

It didn't seem complete to me, somehow. Perhaps it was because one of my favorite books is called 'The Wild Road' by Gabriel King. The plot of Varjak Paw beared so many resemblences to The Wild Road's that it took a bit of the story away, for me at least. The same basic storyline. But The Wild Road is also for older audiences. I applaud SF Said with his novel, writing such a deep story for young children. The Wild Road was meant for older audiences, and is much more morbid.

The illustrator for this book (I can't recall the name right now) included several rather shocking images. Not shockin in a bad way, but inkworks that really made you think, made you gaze at them for many seconds before moving on. Wonderful illustrations!

Both author and illustrator deserve applause for this children's book!

You don't have to love cats to love this book. Having read hundreds of books over the course of the year, my sons (7 and 8 1/2 years old) and I give Varjak Paw our "Book of the Year" award. We love it! It's supenseful. It's passionate. It has a fundamental message that everyone needs to hear: It's not your "pedigree" but rather your conduct that makes you valuable.

Varjak Paw is a kitten who lives in an old house contentedly until his grandfather tells him about a secret martial art for cats. Now Varjak's journey away from his secure home depends on the Way for survival in a city filled with cat gangs and mysterious Vanishings. Varjak Paw is finely written, cat-based fantasy recommended for young adult enthusiasts of such imaginative fantasies as Watership Down.

Varjak Paw is a beautifully written book in which most of the characters are cats. It is a lovely little story, written in a fast moving style. The characters (mostly cats) are "true to life", based on my 50 years of experience. Children growing up in a household of cats will love this story while Adult readers will find it far more interesting than most children's literature. I strongly recommend this story (and its sequel) to anyone with children and cats.