Reviews

i hate reading for class. i love this book. i read this book instead of doing things for class
yep i still love it
rereading the sequel as a reward for finishing my homework, once i finish it

mehitabels's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a tween book about cats . . . and quite well done. Lovely art by [a:Dave McKean|10365|Dave McKean|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1249142890p2/10365.jpg]. A fascinating retelling of the misfit saving the family, and fixing the world.

annalisenak97's review against another edition

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4.0

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:)

amaldae's review against another edition

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2.0

Varjak is somewhat perfect main character for a book like this. He's lonely and doesn't trust himself. To be honest he doesn't know anything about the world he lives in... but he is willing to learn. In fact, he is also rather talented at it.

When a scary Gentleman walks into his (or the Contessa's) home, he knows that he must leave and that he cannot come back before he has spoken with a dog - he has to bring one with him to save his family, because only dogs are big enough to drive out even this Gentleman (and his strange cats).
So Varjak does what he feels is his only option. He escapes, tries to talk to 'dogs' and finds friends during his adventurous...week? or two? With his ancestor Jalal as a guide, he learns to trust himself and his catlike skills (a.k.a. 'the Way'), and also absorbs some rather essential values about loyalty, equality, and so forth, into his personality.

As you can see, Varjak Paw is mostly written for small children. S.F. Said uses simple language and the story is as fast-paced as the font is big.
Well, there is nothing wrong with writing books for kids. But I still think there is a bit too much blood and too few descriptive words in this one. Dave McKean's pictures aren't bad either but do not add any new colors to this story as one could hope.

And psst, cats do not blush when they are embarrassed. I really doubt they are able to feel embarrassment at all. Children's book or not, I think it wouldn't be too much to ask if the cats, well, at least resembled cats. I don't think our body makes us to be anything or anyone, but our feelings and thoughts do.

tl;dr: more catlike behavior in the story and adjectives in the text and I'll give this 3 stars.

geegee98's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

benljones2's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.75

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