Spot The Difference in Sookie's World Quiz

Answer: Neither

Bill Compton, Sookie's first lover, fought in the Civil War in both the books and the TV series. In the books he reveals to Sookie that he was turned by Lorena in 1868, when he was in his late twenties. It is not until Book 10 ("Dead in the Family") that we find out exactly how Lorena turned him. The TV series depicts Bill as being turned whilst still in his army uniform.

Despite these small differences, Bill's appearance and character in the TV series is very close to the books' description. He is serious, thoughtful, considerate and perhaps a little boring.

Answer: Books only

Sam is a shape shifter, his preferred shape being a rough collie dog. He was bought up by his parents, who were both shifters, though his father later died. In Book 9 ("Dead and Gone") we learn that when Sam's mother revealed herself as a shifter, Sam's stepfather shot and wounded her.

In the TV series, Sam is presented as being bought up by foster parents, who moved house and left him behind when they discovered his shape shifting abilities, which developed with puberty.

Answer: Series only

In Book 9 ("Dead and Gone") Eric reveals to Sookie that he was made a vampire by one Appius Livius Ocella around 1,000 years ago. Appius Livius Ocella also features strongly in Book 10 ("Dead in the Family"). Fortunately for us, Eric was made a vampire while in his early twenties, so is eternally young and gorgeous. Personally, I think the readers get the best of Eric as he comes across as much more fun-loving in the books. In both the books and the series his bad boy persona acts as a foil to Bill's more serious, thoughtful nature.

In both the book and the series, Godric is an ancient vampire, marked with unusual tattoos. He appears in Book 2 ("Living Dead in Dallas") and is represented as looking around 16 years old, though in the series he looks a little older. In both, he decides to commit suicide by "meeting the sun" as he is bored with his long life. In the books, he is also riddled with guilt as his preferred victims have always been children, though he is presented as a pretty flawless character in the TV series.

In the books, we learn that Eric is "turned" by Appius Livius Ocella while walking home one night. In the series, Eric is shown being helped by two companions after being badly injured, probably in battle. Godric attacks the companions at night and "turns" Eric.

Answer: Both

In the earlier books, Sookie has lost touch with Hadley, who has turned to drugs. Later, we find that she became a vampire and was a particular favourite of Sophie Ann, before being finally killed by another vampire. A still human Hadley appeared in an intimate situation with Sophie Ann in the second season of the TV series.

Answer: Books only

Despite Tara's prominence in the first two TV series, she doesn't appear until the second book ("Living Dead in Dallas") and then only briefly. Her parents are dead, but were violent and abusive. Despite this, Tara has her own clothing shop "Tara's Togs" and is always smartly turned out.

In the TV series, Tara's alcoholic mother is still alive, though she apparently overcame her addiction. Tara is portrayed as loudmouthed and truculent, virtually homeless and drifting between dead end jobs.

Answer: Series only

In both the first book ("Dead Until Dark") and the TV series, Lafayette is portrayed as a flamboyantly gay man. However, while he dies at the end of the that book (and the discovery of his body is featured at the start of the second book), the TV series has expanded the character to make him a male prostitute and drug dealer, with a particular interest in dealing vampire blood (known as 'V'). Eric discovers this and holds Lafayette prisoner for a while, before Sookie finds him and negotiates his release.

Answer: Neither

This may come as a surprise, as sexual activity seems to be a favourite pastime of the Bon Temps inhabitants in both the books and the TV series. There is no relationship between them at all in the books. Indeed, as Lafayette is killed at the end of Book 1 ("Dead Until Dark") and Tara isn't introduced until Book 2 ("Living Dead in Dallas") they share no dialogue.

In the TV series, they are portrayed as cousins with a close but stormy relationship. Come to that, Tara seems to have a stormy relationship with everyone!

Answer: Both

Apparently, vampires have varying talents. Eric can fly - something he demonstrates in front of Arlene's children in the second of the TV series, and which is also referenced in several of the books.

Answer: Series only

In the TV series, Bill kills the vampire barman at Fangtasia to prevent him from killing Sookie. He is bought before a vampire court, and has to make restitution by turning an innocent 17 year old girl, in order to restore the vampire population.

In "Dead Until Dark", it is Eric who kills the Long Shadow, the barman, and his only punishment is to pay a fine. However, in book 5 ("Dead as a Doornail") Long Shadow's Maker attempts to extract his own revenge.

For those who are reading the books after watching the TV series, please don't strain your eyes looking for Jessica, as there is no such character.

Answer: Series only

In the books, Jason is wary of vampires and disapproves of Sookie's relationship with Bill. He becomes a little more tolerant as the books progress and he learns more about the supernatural world surrounding him. He is a happy go lucky, promiscuous and somewhat selfish character, who matures after tragedy touches his life.

In the TV series Jason is portrayed as being almost simple-minded and is swayed into joining The Fellowship of the Sun, an anti-vampire religion. After a while he realises that this is not something he wants to be involved with.