This thread is to discuss the Sookie Stackhouse (http://www.charlaineharris.com/bibliography/bibliog-sookie.html)series. HBO is basing "True Blood" on the books. The True Blood thread is here (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=963682).

There *will* be spoilers in this thread, so read at your own risk. :)

To continue the conversation from the True Blood Thread:

So, I read all 8 books. In like three days. They're really good! I would really recommend them. YES, you will know what's going on. Yes, it was as Charlaine Harris said that the show is based on the books but Alan Ball has made it his own. No spoilers from me, I promise!

It's hard for me now to not be a *little* disappointed in the show now. The scene in the graveyard with Bill and Sookie is so much *more* in the book - a lot more emotion and powerful - in the show it's like "Hey, you're alive! Let's kanoodle!" and in the book it's "Bill, I have to tell you something bad, omg, I didn't do it, let's kanoodle to redirect your anger!" And lots of rain. I can see why pp reads them every year or so - I'm definately planning on keeping my set.

The scene with Jason and the girl kidnapping the vamp was horrid. What a horrible woman.


Do you feel differently about Bill now, too, knowing that Sophie Ann sent him?


Yes, actually, though I'm wondering how Alan Ball's going to treat that, given that Bill's such a hero at this point in the series. (i'm not burgundy elephant, lol)


Didi - Yes, and no. I did read the books in order, so I really thought Bill liked her at the beginning. I was horrified for her when Eric told her about Sophie Ann in the hospital. BUT, I take Bill at face value later when he says that at the beginning he thought it was beneath him, but then he came to love her. Who knows when he actually fell in love... part of me likes to think it was before the first time they had relations but knowing him he probably just did it to "seal the deal". After she broke it off with him it (oh, what, the third time?) then I think it was definately over. Raping her later (car trunk) was just dirt on the grave of their relationship, so to speak. I don't *hate* Bill but I do think she's better off without him. I personally like Eric. :)


Burgandy Elephant:
I can't manage to be as charitable to Bill as you are. I think that he regrets using Sookie not because he loves her but because he misses having unlimited access to her fairy blood. It's supposed to be powerfully addictive for vampires, you know. Also, he also was never very generous towards Sookie. He never seemed to care when she was struggling financial, even while he was lavishing money on the Bellefleurs (who look down on Sookie and wouldn't give Bill the time of day.)

Erik, on the other hand, has always been much more thoughtful towards Sookie than Bill ever has. And he wasn't doing just because Sophie Ann told him to. I'm a huge fan of Erik, but I think that I like Quinn even more at least until the last book. Alcide isn't so bad either, except for the whole psycho-ex-girlfriend thing.

Yes, I can see the point about the faerie blood. I always thought that Sookie was kind of prideful about the money - like she wouldn't have taken it anyway which is why Eric worked around it. I loved the new gravel driveway. :) :)

The casting of Eric for TrueBlood bothered me. Isn't he like 6'4" in the book? And in the first couple of shows I thought he's looked really short. But then on this last one (when Sookie reads the bar employees minds) he actually looked pretty good in that shirt. :)

I really liked Alcide in the first couple books he was in. Yeah, Debbie is nuts, but Alcide was romantic. But after the pack fight that whole scene just painted to me that he really *couldn't* be with a non-were. What do you guys think?

I just finished reading all 8 books in like 3 days... and I am left feeling... eh. I don't know... I need some resolution to Bill/Eric LOL I rushed through them hoping that there would be some closure by the 8th book and now I feel lame :lol I was originally all for Bill, even up to the hostile takeover and now I am not so sure.

*sigh*

The casting of Eric for TrueBlood bothered me.

Now that I have read the books, I agree that I am not sure the casting was just right for him. He isn't sexy enough for me :lol

I saw on the preview for tonight that Bill has Sam watch Sookie while he goes out of town - that must mean there's no Bubba. That bums me out!

I suspect that the Presley estate would go ballistic over the portrayal of Elvis as a brain-damaged vampire. I bet that that is why HBO cut that bit.

As for the men in Sookie's life, the ones that I think she would be best off with are Sam and Quinn. Sam really cares about her, with no ulterior motives, and Quinn was a great guy until the very last book. Even in the last book, I kind of felt like Sookie was a little hard on him.

His mother is hopelessly mentally ill and his sister relies on him completely. He and his sister did what they could to warn Sookie about what was going on, but she seemed to think that it was too little too late. Sookie could just as easily have been pleased with the fact that Quinn is a good son and brother (and, by extension, likely to be just as devoted to his chosen mate.) Quinn is just the epitome of every thing that Sookie would probably like Jason to be, yet she doesn't value those characteristics in Quinn at all.

I'll admit that I only read the last book once and flew through it pretty quickly, so I'm sure that there is a lot that I'm not remembering. However, it left me with a profound sense that Charlaine Harris is so desperate to maintain the romantic tension in Sookie's life that she had to come up with something to drive a wedge between Quinn and Sookie, even though the something that she came up with didn't ring true.

OTOH, I'm excited by the whole Naill subplot and by Sookie's little cousin Hunter. I hope that we see more of both of them in the next book.

PatchyMama - imagine how irritated *I* was. I NEVER read a series until they're all released - I waited years to read Harry Potter. I still haven't read Wheel of Time. So I'm online and I hear about Dead Until Dark and someone says there are only 7 books. (There were actually 8 already.) I'm a nitwit and think that means they're all done. Noooooo. So now I'm waiting for the next with everyone else. :lol

"brain-damaged vampire" haha. He does make a great subplot, though. Who will have killed the were?

I wonder about her ending up with any shapeshifter, truthfully. I mean, she mentions here and there if she ends up with a vampire she won't be able to have kids, but if she ends up with a shapeshifter I wonder if her children will be able to change... thus would whoever she ends up with be secretly upset about that?

Now, about Tara. In the books she's such a small character - with the show at first I really liked her speaking up about stuff, but she's gotten a bit crazed. I wonder if they're going to get her to be more "normal" after the exorcism and then she can eventually get a real career, etc. Perhaps that won't happen until some time in the third season (based on the events in the second book)?

As far as the exorcism stuff goes... when I first saw it on True Blood I was just laughing in disbelief... then I started to think about it and wonder if this is Alan Ball's way of introducing other paranormal stuff besides the vampires and the allusion to Sam's shapeshifting. I know that the other demons actually have their own bodies but I wonder if they're all born or some are just possessing bodies. So perhaps her Mom really did have a demon and Tara does too. Make sense? Check your disbelief at the door, I guess.

Oh Yay! I love Charlaine Harris, I get a new one and my DH and DDs know that aren't going to get any attention until I've finished it.

I was very pro Quinn but I see Sookie's reason's for leaving him. I'm still big on the Eric bandwagon.

Did anyone else read Harris' short story in the Wolfsbane and Mistletoe compilation? What a nice present --for an adrenaline junkie! I don't think I'd be thanking my fairy grandfather for it at all.

We don't get cable (or even tv, really) so I won't be seeing True Blood until it comes out on video (if our library decides to buy it), people seem pretty divided about it though, so maybe it's not a big deal to be missing it.

I don't think that your missing much by not watching True Blood. The previews following last night's episode really turned me off. Something about Bill going on trial for killing Long Shadow and (maybe) being sentenced to five years bound in silver chains or something like that. I think that the original stories are good enough that there really is no need to deviate from them so far.

yeah last night's episode really threw me and now I wonder how far off the books they are going to go. I will probably watch the rest of the season, but its weird LOL

Didn't Eric stake Longshadow in the book?

I noticed that Eric questioned Bill about why he's protectiing Sookie "Because that would require an edict and that's something I would know about, right?" so they're alluding to the Queen earlier than in the books.

Roostery, I haven't read that compilation book yet. I put all the compilations on hold from the library and some of them are quite a wait out. There are lots of them! I did find another good author from one of the compilations, though - Angela Knight. (whoo whoo)

i was disapointed that they left out so much in this latest episode. and changed the whole eric staking longshadow thing.

meh.

K I haven't read a single post here because I don't want to burn my eyes with spoilers, so when you respond if you can like bold my name (ie MAGGIE) so I know it's safe to read I'd appreciate it. :love

Question...
I have watched the series and like it but I like books more. I am getting a little extra money from picking up some extra work a few weeks back and I was thinking of buying the books as a much needed special treat. I found this deal (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sookie-Stackhouse-Box-Set/Charlaine-Harris/e/9780441017775/?itm=1) on B&N.com and I am wondering if it's worth it. I'm suuuuper cheap and although it is a great deal it's still over $1 and that to me makes me apprehensive :lol

So I want to know if it's worth it.

(and I can't go to the library as they don't have the books in my area and they are all back ordered in others as the books have gotten way popular. Basically I am impatient :D)

Didn't Eric stake Longshadow in the book?)

Yeah. And it was no big deal -- no tribunal or whatever. The only effect at all was that Sookie got a big ol' dose of vamp blood as Longshadow was dying.

I think that it is better for the plot if Eric kills Longshadow because it shows that he feels something for Sookie too. He's definitely not in love with her or anything, but he is intrigued. It makes him a much more interesting and multi-faceted character than it looks like TB-Eric is shaping up to be.

Where's the poking your eyes out smiley? I snuck in here as a True Blood watcher only - in spite of being warned - and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. That is all.

Moving to television

K I haven't read a single post here because I don't want to burn my eyes with spoilers, so when you respond if you can like bold my name (ie MAGGIE) so I know it's safe to read I'd appreciate it. :love

Question...
I have watched the series and like it but I like books more. I am getting a little extra money from picking up some extra work a few weeks back and I was thinking of buying the books as a much needed special treat. I found this deal (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sookie-Stackhouse-Box-Set/Charlaine-Harris/e/9780441017775/?itm=1) on B&N.com and I am wondering if it's worth it. I'm suuuuper cheap and although it is a great deal it's still over $1 and that to me makes me apprehensive :lol

So I want to know if it's worth it.

(and I can't go to the library as they don't have the books in my area and they are all back ordered in others as the books have gotten way popular. Basically I am impatient :D)
Maggie

Its a good deal in the sense that it looks like its 7 books for about $5 each book (the paperbacks are regularly 7.99 full price). BUT it doesn't include book 8, which I think is only available in hardback right now.

Annette, I might be mistaken but I think this thread is to discuss the books that the tv series is based upon, so therefore would belong in the books forum.

Whoops sorry. In my defense, I'm drinking. :lol

:lol An election night drinking game? :lol

It's not really a game. I'm very serious.

Well, it *was* Tuesday. Champagne Tuesday? :lol

MAGGIE, I thought it was worth it to buy the books. I was on hold with the library forever, and couldn't find them used (I'd looked at at least four different stores), and on ebay they were going for almost as much as the new ones... so I just bought all seven of them. Then I went and bought the hardback #8. It's great, too, but it's not the end of the series so don't feel that you have to buy that one right away - you could wait for paperback. #9 is coming out in May.

Closing my eyes (to avoid spoilers) and posting to say that I'm reading this series now and I LOVE IT!!! I'm about to start book 6, I"m actually reading the short story inbetween 5 & 6. I've been reading them like I'm addicted, I think I've read the first 5 books in 10 days or something. WoW has gone neglected, message boards have gone unread.. all I can do is read about Sookie Stackhouse!!!

I have been watching the show but I like the books better. I can't wait to come back to this thread next week after I've read them all. :lol

I am getting seroiusly anxious for book 9..... but we still have another 6 months or so? argh LOL

I am reading The Hollows series in the time being tho.

So did everyone see Sunday's episode? It is just getting further off track..... I can't decide if I should watch and enjoy that its a "new story" or just be annoyed and stop watching :lol

I think they're going to have to bring it back around at least a little bit - that was the Maenad who caused Tara's crash (you could hear the hog oinking), and I think they were setting up Lafayette to bite the dust, too.

Ok, I finally finished all the books!!! I love the books much more than the series and I almost feel like they ruined the show for me. I don't like where they're going with the vamps. Bill staking Longshadow and this thing with the magistrate. Why even base it on the same books if you're going to change it so much?

I don't know if they'll kill LaFayette like in the books. For one thing, those people that killed LaFayette in the books aren't even the same people that are in the show, you know? I mean "Tara" was one of the girls in that swinger's group, but the Tara in the books and the Tara in the show are not even the same person. It's like he just took the name.

(He also used the name Amy from the books for the Amy that's Jason's sociopath gf. In the books, Amy was the waitress that got killed that Sookie never met.)

The other reason I don't think he's setting up LaFayette to be killed, is that Alan Ball likes to have at least 1 main gay character at all times. :lol I mean, I don't think he's said that out loud, but that's what he does.

Although, I guess they're keeping Pam a lesbian, huh? They seemed to at least hint at it on the show.

Bluebird, just look at the series as a departure from the books. Yes, the books are better than the series, but we have no idea of all the other stuff people are doing when they're not around Sookie, right?

I think Tara could change - could clean up a bit and move towards the book character. I think if she's at the swinger party that would be a really big eye opener, you know?

I think Pam was bisexual, wasn't she? I love the scene in the later book where she's needlepointing. :lol

Bluebird, just look at the series as a departure from the books. Yes, the books are better than the series, but we have no idea of all the other stuff people are doing when they're not around Sookie, right?

I think Tara could change - could clean up a bit and move towards the book character. I think if she's at the swinger party that would be a really big eye opener, you know?

I think Pam was bisexual, wasn't she? I love the scene in the later book where she's needlepointing. :lol

Yeah, I'm lightening up. :p I watched this week's episode with an open mind, putting the books out of my brain, and it was good. I just have to tell myself it's not the same thing.

I still don't like Bill, though. In the books or the show. :lol I'm all about Sam.

My friend told me that she thinks Charlaine Harris has hinted that Sam is ultimately "the one" for Sookie, since they've always had "something" and he's been the stable, patient one. I don't know what she read that made her think that, has anyone else heard anything like that?

I'm rooting for Eric in this. I love his character in the book, and his relationship with Sookie! The show makes Eric out to be too evil, imo. And Bill is much nicer/sweeter in the show than in the book too. I don't like him in the books at all, but in the show, I kind of do. Kind of confusing, lol

Bumping ... just because. :p

Did anyone see the season finale? What did you think? I almost like the series a bit better now that they are barely even pretending to follow the books any more. As a vampire series, True Blood isn't horrid. As a retelling of The Southern Vampire Series, it's awful. IMNSHO. :D

Yeah, as long as I think of it as something different from the books, I am fine LOL But comparing the two makes me go crazy :lol I read that season 2 will be based on book 2.... makes sense seeing that they have pulled a couple of the things from book 2 into season 1.

As for the books, the cover for Book 9(?) is up on the website now..... I think we should get the first chapter preview soon!

ITA with both of you! I can't compare the 2, it makes me crazy. But if I let the show go and watch it as something totally separate from the books, it's ok. And I like it.

Dead and Gone chapter 1 is here (http://www.charlaineharris.com/deadandgone.html)!!!!! :joy:

I finished Dead Until Dark last night. I like Bill well enough, but I'm already rooting for Eric. He's more interesting. Honestly, Bill isn't very compelling.

Something I'm just going to have to let go of, accept that it's writer's prerogative: Prior to when Rene attacked Sookie, she goes through one alarming, terrifying, traumatic event after another, but she doesn't seem to be reacting the way I think I would. She's the one who found her murdered grandmother, but she doesn't fall apart, she doesn't act terrified. And it seemed like she hardly mourned at all.

Aside from that, I'm really enjoyed it. The next two books are on my night stand.

Question: at the very end when Bill is there with her in the hospital room, she sees Eric's face outside the window. Is he really there or is she imagining it?

=========

Edited to say, I like Andy Bellefleur better in the book than in the show. In the show he's just an ass. In the book he's more sympathetic.

However, I think the show handled the scene where Sookie wakes up to find a naked Sam on her bed much more logically than the book did! At least in the show Sam has the good grace to act mortified about Sookie seeing him naked. In the book he's positively aggressive.:irked:

Question: at the very end when Bill is there with her in the hospital room, she sees Eric's face outside the window. Is he really there or is she imagining it?

They don't ever really say, I don't think. But based on info learned throughout the series, I'd say he probably was. Sookie has a strong connection to the supes, and she and Eric definitely have a connection.

I read the first chapter of book 9. :thumb I am excited to see where it's going. I don't wanna wait til May!! :hopmad

Okay guys - you are going to all disagree with me, but I just finished the first book and I like the show better. Is it terrible? First of all, Bill's character is so much better in the show. I love how much he loves Sookie, how much he is willing to do for her. I feel like it's not as much in the book (in the first book at least). Erik's character is way more compelling in the book then in the show.
I love how much more is invested in LaFayette and Jason in the show rather then in the book. They are some of my favorite characters.
Sookie didn't seem that surprise that Sam is a shapeshifter in the book as in the movie which i didn't find believable.
And Tara is a great touch. Without her the show would be more boring.

Okay guys - you are going to all disagree with me, but I just finished the first book and I like the show better. Is it terrible? First of all, Bill's character is so much better in the show. I love how much he loves Sookie, how much he is willing to do for her. I feel like it's not as much in the book (in the first book at least). Erik's character is way more compelling in the book then in the show.
I love how much more is invested in LaFayette and Jason in the show rather then in the book. They are some of my favorite characters.
Sookie didn't seem that surprise that Sam is a shapeshifter in the book as in the movie which i didn't find believable.
And Tara is a great touch. Without her the show would be more boring.

First, I'll preface my comment by saying that I don't think Charlaine Harris is a terribly good writer. She's fine. She's a darn sight better writer than that currently very popular vampire romance writer. Sookie doesn't get on my very last nerve. But the writing does plod along sometimes.

But Alan Ball has taken a fun story and some characters that only hinted at some potential, and he developed them into three dimensional, entertaining characters. Lafeyette and Tara are very likeable, and the scene where they shoo everyone out of Sookie's house at Gran's memorial reception was a great addition to the story.

And, yeah, like I said, I think the show portrayed the scene where Sam reveals he's a shape shifter much more logically. Sookie screamed her head off! In the book dog-Sam sticks his nose up her skirt when alreayd Sookie knows who the dog is. :irked:

Got the books for Christmas....on Book 4 now. I am completely Team Eric...for now. LOL!

:love

I like the decision Sookie made at the end of Book 3, and so I stopped there. :lol

Just finished Dead as a Doornail. Oh my gosh, I love the books now!!! what a turn around for me. I hope Alan Ball at least follows the main premises/plots of the books. I'm all about Eric still. I love the relationship those 2 have. Alan Ball BETTER STICK TO THAT ONE!!!
Also, all those new characters: Alcide, Debbie... Can't wait to find out who will play those parts.

Did anyone notice how everyone is just in love with Sookie? Everyone want her? It's like the author is living all her sexual fantasies through her character.:wink

Just finished Dead as a Doornail. Oh my gosh, I love the books now!!! what a turn around for me. I hope Alan Ball at least follows the main premises/plots of the books. I'm all about Eric still. I love the relationship those 2 have. Alan Ball BETTER STICK TO THAT ONE!!!
Also, all those new characters: Alcide, Debbie... Can't wait to find out who will play those parts.

Did anyone notice how everyone is just in love with Sookie? Everyone want her? It's like the author is living all her sexual fantasies through her character.:wink

I noticed that, too, and I think it's a big part of the appeal. :lol

I noticed that, too, and I think it's a big part of the appeal. :lol

You are absolutely right!

...She's a darn sight better writer than that currently very popular vampire romance writer. ...:

Which series are you talking about? I'll stear clear of them.

For instance, I didn't really like the Twilight series. Angela Knight has written some vampire books (Magekind) and I do like them.

Yes, I'm referring to Twilight. That's the only other vampire story I've read since Anne Rice's series, back in the 80s.

I miss Bill :(

Amcal, since this thread is clearly marked SPOILERS I won't hesitate to ask, what are you referring to? I stopped reading at #3, Club Dead, and don't mind having it spoiled for me.

Sookie breaks up with Bill over the Lorena stuff. The next book is all about her and Eric. I'm in the middle of that book and I'm really missing Bill. He's not even in this book.

I like Eric and think he's super hot and sexy but, he doesn't love her. Bill does.

*can I just jump in here?*
I read the books a while ago and w/o HBO desperately want to see the TBlood episodes and how they measure up. That being said, Sookie's love life: why can't she and Sam fall in love. It might be my desperation that picks up a bit of chemistry between them. But we can all dream.

Sookie breaks up with Bill over the Lorena stuff. The next book is all about her and Eric. I'm in the middle of that book and I'm really missing Bill. He's not even in this book.

I like Eric and think he's super hot and sexy but, he doesn't love her. Bill does.

I don't think Bill loves Sookie. I think Eric does.

Get caught up on the series, you'll see what I mean. :thumb I remember being completely baffled as to why my friend liked Eric so much, instead of Bill. She just said, "keep reading, you'll see".

Sookie and Eric have a deep connection, they really do.

Ok, I'm going to stick with it.

My fear is that because Eric has lost his memory in this book that he's going to get it back at the end of the book and completely forget all the love and tenderness he showed Sookie and we'll be back to him just wanting to get in her pants.

I really like Alcide too :D

Can you imagine having all these hot supernatural beings wanting you at ever turn? :lol

Can you imagine having all these hot supernatural beings wanting you at ever turn? :lol

Yes. Yes I can. :lol

Amcal,
Since this thread is clearly marked for spoilers, I'll give you something to consider: what if Eric does lose his memory about his time with Sookie (as you fear,) but then slowly appears to get that memory back. But maybe she can't quite be sure how much of that memory he's gotten back. All of it? Some of it? None of it but he's pretending? Just think about it.

That said, I'm still Team Quinn. He's hot. And has a pulse. And no crazy ex.

Amcal,
Since this thread is clearly marked for spoilers, I'll give you something to consider: what if Eric does lose his memory about his time with Sookie (as you fear,) but then slowly appears to get that memory back. But maybe she can't quite be sure how much of that memory he's gotten back. All of it? Some of it? None of it but he's pretending? Just think about it.

That said, I'm still Team Quinn. He's hot. And has a pulse. And no crazy ex.


I'm hooked :D I'll keep reading :thumb

well I have been reading this series and I think that reading books that are in a series that I have to wait for the next one to be written is making me crazy because I can read a good book in a day or 2 and then wait months and months for the next-- I have an Eric bias- atleast Charlaine writes quickly, her other 2 series I have read but could take or leave them--
and yep I have been reading the Hallows too that next one will be out very soon,

I've read the whole series and I think Bill loves Sookie. I don't think it started out that way, but I think at this point in the story line both Eric and Bill are in love with her. I can't decide who I prefer her to be with.... I was a diehard Bill fan until the time with Eric and now I am torn LOL

I just finished Dead as a Doornail and I'm missing the romance :( There wasn't really much with Bill or Eric in this one. Except when Bill visits her in the hospital. He loves her. Eric wants her but up to this point, it seems Bill is the one who really loves her.

I wish I hadn't tore through all the books. They were so delightful and such a good escape from REALITY. First book I've read from the SCI-Fi section in a long time.
My favorite character is Eric.

And yes, you're on to something when you notice that everyone has the hots for Sookie-I guess some of the magic is lost on TV cuz I just don't see what's so hot about her. :wink Keep reading, you'll find out what's so special about Sookie Stackhouse.

I was really let down with the last book. :(

My favorite was the one where Sookie babysits Eric--3rd or 4th
and then the one with the Vampire Conference. 6 I think?

So for me: Team Eric
My sister is Team Alcid, LOL
My goofy sil tried to read them but didn't read them in order and has now given up. Seriously, they were all in order when I loaned them to her.

I'm reading Breaking Dawn now of the Twilight series. (Quickly, before them movies ruin it for me.) LOL

I need a new good vampire book. And not the jr. version either. I'm a "dirty old lady" (according to dd) who misses the Ann Rice series.

I put my mom onto these books. :DFor something on her ride home from her visit after her complaining about her um, intimate life.

I've hear the "Undead" series by MaryJanice Davidson is supposed to be fantastic. I think they're called the "Queen Betsy" books.

http://www.amazon.com/Undead-Unwed-Queen-Betsy-Book/dp/042519485X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236175911&sr=1-2

I'm on Team Eric. I was voting for Quinn, but since appears to be in the past, I'm back to Eric again.

Anyone taking bets about her ending up with Hoyt at the end of the series? Just to mess with everyone?

I need a new good vampire book. And not the jr. version either. I'm a "dirty old lady" (according to dd) who misses the Ann Rice series.

The first several of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books are very good. The second half of the series, um, not so much.