Varjak Paw

 
Varjak Paw (2003) is a novel by the British author S. F. Said and illustrated by Dave McKean. The illustrations in this book have a dark "gothic" quality. The novel received the 2003 Smarties Gold Award for the 6–8 years range, and has been adapted for other media.
Characters.
Varjak Paw's name is an allusion 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 catalogue, it is listed as "Nine Lives by Varjak, Paul". S.F. Said is not known to have commented on this connection.
Adaptations.
Theatre.
In October 2013, Playbox Theatre Company took on S. F. Said's Varjak Paw, in a major multi-media production.
Opera.
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.
Film.
"Varjak Paw" has been optioned by The Jim Henson Company to be developed as an animated family feature film, with Faith Fawusi as director.