A Comparison of True Blood vs. Charlaine Harris’ Books
This site has received lots of inquiries about the Charlaine Harris Southern Vampire Mystery series. A lot of people are wondering whether the HBO True Blood series is similar to the popular book series.
Since I’ve read all of the books and I’m also watching the show I thought I’d answer some of the most common questions.
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Questions |
HBO’s True Blood |
Charlaine Harris Books |
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| 1. | Is Sam a dog?
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In the series we get several glimpses of a dog standing in the woods. There’s also a scene at the end of True Blood Episode 3 where we see a painting of a dog with a young girl, similar to a “Lassie Meets Goldilocks” setting. | You should read the book to determine whether Sam is a dog. It’s FULLY explained in Dead Until Dark, the 1st book in the Charlaine Harris series. |
| 2. | Is Jason a ladies man in the books?
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In the series, Jason Stackhouse is quite the womanizer. Some of the sex scenes with he and his “dates” are pretty explicit. | Absolutely. The books make it clear that Jason gets around. The books and the TV show agree on this issue. |
| 3. | Is Lafayette in the Charlaine Harris books?
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In the series Lafayette is the wise-cracking cook at Merlotte’s. | Yes, Lafayette is definitely a character in the books. He plays a prominent role in the book Living Dead in Dallas, the 2nd book in the series. |
| 4. | Do Bill and Sookie have sex?
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In the series we’re shown several scenes in which Bill and Sookie start taking off their clothes. | Yes, this occurs in the 1st book, Dead Until Dark
. |
| 5. | Is Tara in the Charlaine Harris books?
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In the series Tara is Sookie’s close friend. We learn a lot about Tara’s home life with her alcoholic mother. | Yes, in the books Tara Thornton is a friend of Sookie’s. However she’s not African American and doesn’t make an appearance until Book #2. She’s also less abrasive than the onscreen Tara. Here’s what Book 4 says about Tara’s parents: “But Tara’s parents had been evil, both alcoholics and abusers. Tara’s older sisters and brothers had left home as fast as they could, leaving Tara, as the youngest, to foot the bill for their freedom.” |
| 6. | How did Bill betray Sookie?
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This is explained in the book Club Dead, the 3rd book in the series. It’s quite shocking but very well explained in the book. It takes Sookie a LONG time to get over the betrayal and for a while, she and Bill don’t see each other. The betrayal makes Sookie wonder whether Bill’s feelings for her were sincere. | |
| 7. | When does Eric Northman appear?
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Eric appears in Episode 4 titled “Escape from the Dragon’s Den.” | Eric appears in the very 1st book, Dead Until Dark.
Here’s how he’s described in the book: “the vampire was handsome, in fact he was radiant. Blond and blue-eyed, tall and broad shouldered.” Eric is a very strong and powerful vampire. Eric has authority over Bill and immediately shows an interest in Sookie. Eric owns a vampire bar in Shreveport called Fantasia. Out of all of the characters in the books, I like Eric the most. Sure, he can be scary, but he’s also incredibly funny in the books. |
| 8. | Are Malcolm, Diane, and Liam (the bad vampires that visit Bill) in the books?
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In the series these 3 vampires visit Bill and almost attack Sookie. | Yes, what you see in Episode 2 and 3 of the series is VERY close to what happens in the book Dead Until Dark. |
| 9. | How tall is Eric Northman?
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In book #4, Dead to the World Charlaine Harris says this about Eric:
“Eric was way over six feet of pure magnificence (if a marble white magnificence), and he well knew it.” |
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| 10. | Do Eric and Sookie have sex? If so, in which book does this occur?
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YES! This happens in Dead to the World. It’s my most favorite book in the entire series. The scenes between Sookie and Eric are really sweet. They’re also absolutely hilarious. | |
| 11. | Is Sam a werewolf?
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Absolutely Not! Sam’s “special condition” is fully explained in book #1, Dead Until Dark. | |
| 12. | Does Sookie’s grandmother die in the books like she does in Episode 5? |
At the end of True Blood Episode 5, Sparks Fly Out, Sookie returns home to find one of her loved ones is dead. | This occurs in Dead Until Dark, the 1st book in the Charlaine Harris series. |
| 13. | Do they find the killer in the books? |
In the True Blood series several women living in Bon Temps have been killed. | In the books the murderer is discovered at the end of Dead Until Dark. You’ll be shocked to learn the identity. |
| 14. | Do Tara and Sam have sex in the books? |
In the True Blood series Sam and Tara have an intimate “no strings attached” relationship. | Tara and Sam don’t get together in the books. |
| 15. | Do Tara and Jason have sex in the books? |
In the True Blood series it’s clear that Tara has a huge crush on Jason. | No, Tara and Jason don’t have sex in the books. |
See also: The Complete List of Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse Books
Note: If you have any other questions about the True Blood series vs. the books, ask them in the comments and I’ll add your questions to the list above!
Filed Under Fantasy Drama Books, Fantasy Romance Books, True Blood |
Tagged With bill and sookie have sex, bill betray sookie, dead until dark, eric and sookie have sex, fantasy books, hbo's true blood, jason stackhouse, sookie stackhouse, southern vampire series, true blood review
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Do Eric and Sookie have sex? If so what book?
Wendi:
Thanks for the question! I’ve added the answer to the list above (#10).
hi
true blood turned me on to these books and I’ve been reading them as fast as I can get my hands on them. I think I’ve found them all and a new one will be out may 2009 dead and gone but i keep hearing about one tittled cruel and un uasal I cant find much and what I do find makes it sound like one of the first or midddle story lines in the series of sookie books HELP its driving me nuts if I’m missing one do you know anything about it any info would be great thank you
christy
Christy:
Your comment got me to thinking about all of the books that contain Sookie Stackhouse. I’m putting together a complete list for the site. In the meantime, I think the book you’re referring to is called “Unusual Suspects” and it’s a collection of stories by fantasy writers. It’s slated for an early December publication. The book will contain a story about Sookie Stackhouse but Charlaine Harris hasn’t released the story title yet. It will be a brand new story about Sookie.
Stop by later for the complete list. I’ll post it on Tuesday.
thank u I feel like a dork about my miss spell also can you clear up the rules on how a human becomes a shifter and how true werewolfs in the books get there lineage?I’m a little confused on the infant mortality thing on the true weres do both parents need to be true weres to make a were child and can a shifter and human have a shifter baby thanks again and I’ll check back for the book list
Give me a bit of time to research this for you.
thanks for the book list.I’ve just started from dead to worse and I”m a little sad since the next full book won’t be out until next spring.I’m suprised by how many tara questions there are since her roles in the books is pretty small.I do like what HBO has done with her role thou I love laffette also he”s great!!.so do you think that the’ll bring bubba from the books character into the series? I have a soft spot for the cat eating vamp you can’t help but laugh when he’s around in the books
I really like the onscreen Lafeyette character as well.
As for Bubba, they’ve GOT to write a role for him! He’s an important character in some of the books and someone that helps Sookie on more than one occasion.
Since he appears in Book 1 I assume we’ll see him this season.
I really hope they do your right.He is a important part of the story at times in almost all of the books.The reason I asked if you thought they’d bring bubba into the show was after reading the books.You know the’ve tweaked some of the characters completly differnt than what they are in the book.Some I like some I don’t lafeyette I luv.Tara not so sure and her and sam not at all in the books he pines for sookie and no one eles and jason doing vamp blood is way off the mark with his persona in the books.So I’m hoping they won’t omit or change bubba to attract more of or a differnt group of viewers. I also wonder if they might have to pay roalties to his estate to use his name or image on t.v.What do you thimk of the character changes and story tweaks that the’ve done? what are your likes and dislikes?
How do humans become vampires in True Blood and in the Harris books? how do they “bring them over” so to speak?
Dan:
If I remember correctly this is how the Charlaine Harris vampires make other vampires:
-a vampire bites a person and drains them until they’re almost dead
-the vampire then cuts himself and gives the person a huge amount of their blood
The key is that the person has to be near death and then has to receive quite a bit of vampire blood. It also works if a vampire comes upon someone near death and gives the person lots of blood.
In the books Sookie occasionally consumes vampire blood (not for the same reason as Jason’s character on True Blood mind you) but isn’t turned because of the above stipulations.
Ok, thank you so much! That is very helpful. I was a little confused after yesterdays episode as well because of the time Sookie consumed a lot of Bill’s blood after she was beaten by the drainers in one of the earlier episodes, and she did not turn. I know she has “supernatural” attributes and all and Bill told her she wouldn’t turn if she drank it, but I was just still a little confused how she didn’t turn too, after seeing what happend to Bill in his past. Thank you again very much for your insight…..
I was wondering if Sookie’s Grandma died in the book too. Also, do they ever find out who the killer is? Do you know how long the series is going to go on for. I heard Alan Ball only signed on for 2 years.
Thanks for your time!
I’ve added your questions (along with answers) to the list above. Thanks!
[...] See also: A Comparison of True Blood vs. the Charlaine Harris Books [...]
Will sookie and bill ever be together again?
Kerri:
Is your question based on the books? Can you be a bit more specific?
What a great list. I have to correct you on number 5, though. There is a brief mention in book 4 that Tara’s parents were alcoholics and abusive.
Jesse:
Thanks! I didn’t catch that in Book #4! Do you remember where in the book it was mentioned? I’d like to update the list.
While you are correct that True Blood’s Tara differs from the books, you kinda missed the larger differences.
Unlike the show, Tara doesn’t make her first appearance until Book 2 at the HS football game Sookie attends. She also is the owner/proprieter of a women’s clothing store, is described as a tall brunette and never is described as being African-American unlike Lafayette (BTW who is also not related to Tara in the books).
Her traumatic childhood is definitely mentioned though I believe the books imply her parents are dead. The books show how she seems to suffer from self-esteem issues attributable to her rough childhood as she experiences men and vampire relationship issues.
She also owns a house and drives a much nicer and newer car than in the show! :O
Pete:
I actually struggled with whether I should include more about Tara in my answer. I decided not to because I’d covered the issue of her ethnicity (and the fact that she doesn’t show up in the Charlaine Harris series until Book 2) in an earlier article titled: Review of HBO’s True Blood Series: Where’s Charlaine Harris’ Plot?” Also, the question was simply: “Was Tara in the books?” However, you make some good points. As such I’ve modified Question #4 to add additional information.
Thanks for the input and please continue visiting!
“I’d adored my father, and I’d always known (and my mother herself definitely believed) that no matter
what Mother put me through, she was acting out of love. But Tara’s parents had been evil, both
alcoholics and abusers. Tara’s older sisters and brothers had left home as fast as they could, leaving Tara,
as the youngest, to foot the bill for their freedom.”
pg. 44 (I believe…I pulled this off of an online copy, so it might not be the right page).
Jesse:
I’ve added the quote from Book 4 to the answer! Thanks so much.
People are really interested in Tara. I get more questions about her character than any other.
Hi
I’m a newcomer so please bare with me. I’ve been watching the show and I absolutely love it but was wondering about some of the relationships that go on in the show. Are they true to book such as Tara and Sam having a sexual relationship and if they did how long did it go on? Did Tara and Jason ever get together?
Tyesha:
I’ve added your questions (with answers) to the list above.
Thanks and keep visiting!
Ooh…found something in book 5, too. Here it is:
Some people should never breed; if their children have the misfortune to be born, those children should
be taken away immediately. That’s not allowed in our country, or any country that I know of, and I’m
sure in my brainier moments that’s a good thing. But the Thorntons, both alcoholics, had been vicious
people who should have died years earlier than they did. (I forget my religion when I think of them.)
Iremember Myrna Thornton tearing my grandmother’s house up looking for Tara, ignoring my
grandmother’s protests, until Gran had to call the sheriff’s department to come drag Myrna out. Tara had
run out our back door to hide in the woods behind our house when she had seen the set of her mother’s
shoulders as Mrs. Thornton staggered to our door, thank God. Tara and I had been thirteen at the time.
I can still see the look on my grandmother’s face while she talked to the deputy who’d just put Myrna
Thornton in the back of the patrol car, handcuffed and screaming.
“Too bad I can’t drop her off in the bayou on the way back to town,” the deputy had said. I couldn’t
recall his name, but his words had impressed me. It had taken me a minute to be sure what he meant, but
once I was, I realized that other people knew what Tara and her siblings were going through. These other
people were all-powerful adults. If they knew, why didn’t they solve the problem?
pg. 41 (in the electronic copy)
Jesse:
I appreciate the input from folks like you and Pete. I’m currently re-reading the books so I can add more quotes from the books to my answers.
I actually just started reading them this weekend! I just finished the 5th book (clearly I’m an addict). It’s your site that inspired me after I started watching the show. Thank you!
That’s one of the best comments I’ve received at this site!
I was wondering what you and others who have read the books think about the changes HBO has made to the story line and some of the character roles that have been added or changed
Yes, they’ve definitely strayed from the books but I sort of expected that. As for my opinion of the changes, I’m glad we’re getting to learn more about Tara and I absolutely love the fact that Lafeyette is a central character, which differs from the books. I also like the new story lines that focus on Tara’s mother and the relationship between Tara and Sam.
As for Jason . . . . I’m not sure. I think I like his book character better.
The story line with Amy Burley is new. Although she’s mentioned several times in Dead Until Dark I think it’s interesting that Alan Ball decided to give her an actual “face”. I think her role will become more important as the series progresses.
Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the creative license they’ve taken.
I hope you don’t mind me asking, I don’t want to spoil anything but what is Jason’s special power, if he has one? thanks again so much!
Dan:
I don’t want to spoil anything either. If you’re really interested, hit me up in a private email (questions@bestfantasystories.com) and “we’ll talk.”
[...] A Comparison of True Blood vs. Charlaine Harris Books [...]
I’ve got to ask are any of you who have read the books even a little bit unhappy with the story line after the last few episodes?wheres bubba and some of the other important aspects of the books.I’ve been waitng a long time for a line of books that made me think and my imagination happy. The last was anne rice I read everything shes done her uncoventinal thinking blew me away she made it so you could almost belive mabey magic and others creatures were out there.since her books I’ve found others along those lines copycats and mundane.I watched the first episode of true blood and fell in love. I grabbed all of the true blood books llke a addict mrs.harris is original and makes you think and adds color to your dreams I’m just sad that theve felt the need to go way over the top on jasons sex escapades and sookie is kinda in the background of the t.v. story line the tara demon thing and now its she who’s meeting the maenade. who’s not around until book two and who attacks well you know who if you’ve read the books.I wonder if anyone else is a little sad or upset that there going way off the mark and in my opinon screwing up a great story for what the think gets better ratings.This is not comming from a prude I’ve had many peircings and tattoo’s way before they became cool.with what my familiy calls a very morbid sense of humor and a free spirt or the black sheep is what they call me.I just don’t get why you have to over sex or over gore a t.v. show or movie instead of sticking to what was a great story in its self.
christy
Christy:
I have to agree with you about the sex scenes: some of them were over the top and when you think about it, didn’t really add too much to the storyline. Yeah, we get it - it’s HBO.
In reference to the “creative license” the directors are taking with the show, for the most part I like the fact that Alan Ball has built entire storylines around some of the minor characters from the books like Amy Burley, Tara, Tara’s mother, and Lafayette. I was initially shocked to see Bill ask Sam to watch over Sookie because in the books, it’s Bubba that acts as a bodyguard. However, I now see that this event gave the director a convenient way to let Sam reveal his secret to Sookie.
But they’ve got to include Bubba, even if they introduce him in the second season.
I’m also okay with some of the new characters and plots, for example, the relationship that’s developed between Tara and Sam, the vampire Eddie, and Lafayette’s relationship with a Louisiana state senator.
However, I’m not happy with Eric’s character. In the books he’s got a wicked sense of humor which makes him endearing to the reader. In the series he’s cold and detached. I was really surprised at his behavior at Bill’s trial and equally shocked to discover that he was responsible for bringing charges against Bill.
Showing the maenad is their way of leading up the season two. My gut tells me that the last show of this season will reveal the identity of the killer and that the cliffhanger will center around the murder that occurs at the start of Book 2.
Just my $0.02!
yeah your right some of the changes are good lafayett is great. I was just so shocked this episode was so off the book and I hopped they would stick closer to its plot.I totally agree on the eric thing. I fell in love with the character in the book and find his role a big dispointment.Plus the off and on love hate with him an sookie is part of what makes the books so fun to read.I hope your right and bubba shows up and also they bring the story a little bit closer to the book again.Thanks for helping me think it out with your perspective and thoughts.Thanks also for thinking the same on the jason sex thing I thought mabey I was becomming my parents as I get in my late 20’s thats scary(lol) heres to hoping it all ties together:)
christy
One difference I noticed in the series versus the books is that in the book Eric kills the bartender from Fangtasia. In the series it is Bill. He then has to go to a tribunal and for punishment he must turn a young girl into a vampire. Did not happen in Dead Until Dark.
You’re correct. I wonder why the series director decided to set up the whole tribunal scene with Bill. I can only assume they’re trying to illustrate the ruthlessness of vampires and also show us how vampires are made. I assume we’ll learn more about this in the next episode.
Where does season 1 of true blood end in the series?
I’m sorry I meant the book series…
The cliffhanger in the last episode of Season 1 is actually where Book 2, Living Dead in Dallas, begins.
I’ve read that Season 2 may include elements from some of the other books as well.