Sweeney Todd, the Barber of Fleet Street

Name: Sweeney Todd, the Barber of Fleet Street
Author: Anonymous

The story follows the titular character, Sweeney Todd, a barber who has been wronged by a corrupt judge. After being falsely accused of a crime he did not commit, Sweeney Todd is sent to prison for fifteen years. Upon his release, he returns to London and sets up shop as a barber in Fleet Street. Sweeney Todd quickly becomes a popular barber, but his true motive is to exact revenge on the judge who wronged him. He begins to lure unsuspecting customers into his barber shop, where he kills them and then bakes them into pies. As Sweeney Todd's murderous rampage continues, he is pursued by a determined detective who is determined to bring him to justice. In the end, Sweeney Todd is brought to justice and his victims are avenged.

By Anonymous · First published 1846 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Gothic Fiction · 13 chapters · 26,382 words

First lines

[A Thrilling Story of the Old City of London. Founded on Facts.]

HARK! twelve o'clock is proclaimed by old St. Dunstan's church, and scarcely have the sounds done echoing throughout the neighbourhood, and scarce has the clock of Lincoln's Inn done chiming in its announcement of the same hour when Bell-yard, Temple Bar, becomes a scene of commotion.

What this Textopian page supports

Sweeney Todd, the Barber of Fleet Street is listed on Textopian as a novel by Anonymous, dated 1846 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Anonymous
Date: 1846 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama
Length: 26,382 words
Structure: 13 chapters, 711 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Sweeney Todd, the Barber of Fleet Street by Anonymous
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The book follows the story of Sweeney Todd, a barber who seeks revenge on those who wronged him, and the mystery of his past is a major plot point.
Thriller — The book contains suspenseful moments as Sweeney Todd's plans unfold and the reader is kept in suspense as to the outcome of his actions.
Gothic Fiction — The book contains elements of the gothic genre, such as dark and mysterious settings, and a sense of dread and horror.
Historical Fiction — The book is set in 19th century London and contains references to historical events and figures.