A String of Pearls (Sweeney Todd) edited by Robert Mack

This reprint of a penny dreadful is the original source of the Sweeney Todd legend. Stylistically, it bears the marks of its quick production, multiple authors, and awareness of its (middle to lower class) reading public. The tale is Dickensian in scope--much more sprawling than the Sondheim adaptation. The major difference, though, is the motivation for Sweeney's villainy: Sondheim invents (or picks up on a later development of) a family for Todd so his tale is that of revenge, rather than greed. This book is very aware of the plight of the poor, and also that of the "insane." A quick and enjoyable read.