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Sweeney Todd or The String of Pearls (1847)

by Thomas Peckett Prest, James Malcolm Rymer

Other authors: See the other authors section.

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
7011432,333 (3.73)21
'Ladies and Gentlemen...I have to state that Mrs Lovett's pies are made of human flesh!'This shocking announcement provides the stunning d'enouement to a narrative first published over a period of four months in the winter of 1846-7. The revelation marked only the beginning, however, of the notorious career of Sweeney Todd, soon known to legend as the 'Demon Barber' of London's FleetStreet. The story of Todd's entrepreneurial partnership with neighbouring pie-maker Margery Lovett - at once inconceivably unpalatable and undeniably compelling - has subsequently provided the substance for a seemingly endless series of successful dramatic adaptations, popular songs and ballads,novellas, radio plays, graphic novels, ballets, films, and musicals. Both gleeful and ghoulish, the original tale of Sweeney Todd, first published under the title The String of Pearls, is an early classic of British horror writing. It combines the story of Todd's grisly method of robbing anddispatching his victims with a romantic sub-plot involving deception, disguise, and detective work, set against the backdrop of London's dark and unsavoury streets.This edition provides an authoritative text of the first version of the story ever to be published, as well as a lively introduction to its history and reputation.… (more)
  1. 01
    Off Season by Jack Ketchum (SomeGuyInVirginia)
    SomeGuyInVirginia: I think Off Season is a despicable book, but it's a time/place close match for the older String of Pearls. String of Pearls is also the better book because it rises above grotesque melodrama on occasion.
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» See also 21 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 14 (next | show all)
The introduction explaining the origin of the story and trying to track down the original author was almost as interesting as the story. Once I started the story, I could hardly put it down. I found every twist and turn intriguing and made an excellent story ( )
1 vote Crystal199 | Jun 15, 2021 |
I read this for the "A Play" part of my 2019 reading challenge. I've never seen Sweeney Todd performed, I've only watched the movie with Johnny Depp. This book was the original version of the story so it was quite different, and I liked the movie better, but this wasn't unenjoyable. ( )
  Linyarai | Feb 16, 2020 |
I have always been fascinated by the story of Sweeney Todd. If you are expecting this to be the written version of the musical with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter then you will be sorely disappointed. This is a novelization of the original story of Sweeney Todd that was published in a "Penny Dreadful" in 1846-1847 as a serial. The written style is old fashioned (by current day standards) but that is to be expected. I don't think the story would have the same flair without it, and I adapted very quickly to the style and rhythm of the writing. I really found this to be an enjoyable and thrilling read. There is a bit of debate as to who exactly wrote it but whoever they were (there are apparently two possible authors who may have collaborated on it) they had great imaginations. I really would recommend people interested in the story of Sweeney Todd to give this book a try. It fleshes out and gives new life and insight into one of the most diabolical literary villains ever to have been invented. ( )
  Veronica.Sparrow | Nov 15, 2015 |
I have always been fascinated by the story of Sweeney Todd. If you are expecting this to be the written version of the musical with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter then you will be sorely disappointed. This is a novelization of the original story of Sweeney Todd that was published in a "Penny Dreadful" in 1846-1847 as a serial. The written style is old fashioned (by current day standards) but that is to be expected. I don't think the story would have the same flair without it, and I adapted very quickly to the style and rhythm of the writing. I really found this to be an enjoyable and thrilling read. There is a bit of debate as to who exactly wrote it but whoever they were (there are apparently two possible authors who may have collaborated on it) they had great imaginations. I really would recommend people interested in the story of Sweeney Todd to give this book a try. It fleshes out and gives new life and insight into one of the most diabolical literary villains ever to have been invented. ( )
  Veronica.Sparrow | Nov 15, 2015 |
I must admit that I had seen all of the movie trailers (but not the movie) before I read this one. So, with Johnny Depp's face, voice and accent doing a one-man-play in my head, I read Sweeney Todd...and loved it. Quite a lot like Dickens in the way the characters are so masterfully developed, and in the way that there are so many stories within the story itself. Additionally, the author makes use of social injustices of the time in telling his story. While the subject matter is quite dark, the telling of the story is not. The author quite adeptly draws the picture but leaves plenty of room for the reader to fill in details ... or not :-) Excellent book, I will be reading this one over and over again. ( )
  Momtosamandliv | Oct 29, 2012 |
Showing 1-5 of 14 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (2 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Prest, Thomas Peckettprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Rymer, James Malcolmmain authorall editionsconfirmed
Collins, DickIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Mack, Robert L.Editorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Mathias, RobertCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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First words
Before Fleet-street had reached its present importance, and when George the Third was young, and the two figures who used to strike the chimes at old St Dunstan's church were all in their glory--being a great impediment to errand-boys on their progress, and a matter of gaping curiosity to country people--there stood close to the sacred edifice a small barber's shop, which was kept by a man of the name of Sweeney Todd.
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Disambiguation notice
This is an edition of the original stories of Sweeney Todd (originally published in the 19th century as The String of Pearls). It is NOT the same work as the adaptations by various playwrights. Do NOT combine with those adaptations, or with the film versions.
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Wikipedia in English (1)

'Ladies and Gentlemen...I have to state that Mrs Lovett's pies are made of human flesh!'This shocking announcement provides the stunning d'enouement to a narrative first published over a period of four months in the winter of 1846-7. The revelation marked only the beginning, however, of the notorious career of Sweeney Todd, soon known to legend as the 'Demon Barber' of London's FleetStreet. The story of Todd's entrepreneurial partnership with neighbouring pie-maker Margery Lovett - at once inconceivably unpalatable and undeniably compelling - has subsequently provided the substance for a seemingly endless series of successful dramatic adaptations, popular songs and ballads,novellas, radio plays, graphic novels, ballets, films, and musicals. Both gleeful and ghoulish, the original tale of Sweeney Todd, first published under the title The String of Pearls, is an early classic of British horror writing. It combines the story of Todd's grisly method of robbing anddispatching his victims with a romantic sub-plot involving deception, disguise, and detective work, set against the backdrop of London's dark and unsavoury streets.This edition provides an authoritative text of the first version of the story ever to be published, as well as a lively introduction to its history and reputation.

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Book description
A distraught Johanna Oakley wanders the streets of London seeking news of her missing fiance, Mark Ingestrie. She is befriended by Colonel Jeffrey, who is searching for his lost friend Thornhill, last seen in Sweeney Todd's Fleet Street barber-shop. Todd's apprentice, Tobias Ragg, is struggling to break free from his terrifying and sadistic master, while the barber himself is frantically trying to sell a string of pearls. Meanwhile, just around the corner in Bell Yard, the enigmatic Jarvis Williams has landed himself a fine job - making the most delicious pies in London, to Mrs Lovett's secret recipe . . .
from the blurb of the Wordsworth Classics edition
blurb: “Ladies and Gentleman….I have to state that Mrs. Lovett’s pies are made of human flesh!” This shocking announcement provides the stunning denouement to a narrative first published over a period of four months in the winter of 1846-7. The revelation marked only the beginning, however, of the notorious career of Sweeney Todd, soon known to legend as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Haiku summary
One man feeds many.
A bad place to be alone.
Warm slicks in the dark.
(SomeGuyInVirginia)

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