I am a huge fan of the “True Blood” series on HBO. I have been hooked since season 1, and have recently become more aware of the fan community surrounding the series. I had not read the books until recently, when I could no more stand the phrase, “well, in the books...”. So, in order to better understand the characters that I love so much and to avoid bookworm know-it-alls, I read the Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris.
The HBO series is based on Harris' series, and HBO has no pretense of sticking strictly to the books. Sookie Stackhouse is the main character in both series and, while basically the same person in both stories, there are some pretty interesting differences in her character between book and show.
Well, in the books, (ha, I can say that now), Sookie is your basic every-girl with a catch; she can read minds. She is smart, loyal, no-nonsense, and dirt poor. She is a size 10, and refers to herself as “buxom”. Arlene is her best friend, and she considers Eric Northman to be both amusing and attractive. She often makes it a point to use words from her “word of the day calendar” in her internal monologue, which makes up the context of the book. Bill is her gateway-vampire. She is drawn to him because she cannot read his mind and because he is powerful and mysterious, much like in the show. However, book Sookie carries less virgin baggage and is more ready to mingle in the supernatural world. Her realization that she has fairy blood is downplayed and she takes it in stride as she is discovering all the other supernatural beings in Bon Temps and surrounding areas. The citizens of Bon Temps are more up front about their supernatural heritage and once Sookie enters that world, she is drawn in all the way in her own right. She makes a living off her ability as well as her wages from being a barmaid at Merlotte's bar and grill. Book Sookie is practical, yet emotional. Reading her character reveals a lot of insights into other characters as well as herself. Like a good southern girl, she has made up her own list of boundaries when it comes to using her telepathic gift.
Sookie in HBO's “True Blood” is based on Sookie Stackhouse from Harris' series, but her character is different and worthy in her own right. True Blood Sookie is stubborn, fierce, and sassy. She is very petite, but has been increasingly kicking ass in some violent situations. Sookie is very much like Buffy, but with less vampire slaying. She fell hard for Vampire Bill, and cut him major slack when he messed up time and time again. She refuses to believe ill of him and defends him even against damning evidence against him. Recently, at the end of season 3, it seems that she has finally cut it off with Bill as she revoked his invitation into her house. Her best friend is Tara, a minor character in the books, but in the show they grew up together like sisters. Sookie is like a sweet plum – every body wants a piece of her. Sookie's telepathic ability is exploited by the vampires, but it is her fairy blood that seems to be behind every major plot. Her fairy blood is a valuable commodity to vampires because it of its supposed ability to let a vampire walk in the sun. Sookie is as stubborn about her compassion for Bill as she is stubborn about her contempt for Eric Northman. She puts up a hard front when it comes to the Viking, but that front is becoming more and more compromised due to her ingestion of his blood and its ability to inspire erotic dreams and thoughts about him. Sookie does not enjoy working for Eric, but something always seems to come up that pressures her into doing business with him.
Whether you are a fan of the show, the books, or both, Sookie Stackhouse brings it in both mediums. Her essence is unchanged, but the differences in her character between words and film are both interesting and enlightening. The audience gets something new out of each encounter with Sookie, and clearly, it's something worthwhile.
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