Varjak Paw

• Varjak Paw, a very young kitten and the main protagonist of the story
• Jalal the Paw, A Mesopotamian blue cat who ventured out into the Outside and found a home with the Countessa.
• Elder Paw, Varjak's grandfather and one of the few who remembers (part of) The Way 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.
• Tam, a tabby cat and Holly, and Varjak's best friend

The book's title and protagonist's name come from Said's own cat named Varjak, whose name is a reference 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 catalog, it is listed as "Nine Lives by Varjak, Paul".

• Official site