Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

The Books Vs TV Show **SPOILERS** **STAY AWAY IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOKS!**

  • 01-07-2010 07:52PM
    #1
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭


    A couple have people have said they would prefer if the books aren't mentioned on the episode threads, which is totally fair enough as things could get spoiled for them if they want to read the books. So I thought we could have a thread where we can discuss the books in comparison to the tv show and not ruin anything for anyone :)

    So for those of us who have read the books, what do you think of the changes the programme's writers and producers have made?

    In the first series I really enjoyed the character of Tara. She was feisty, funny and had some great lines. Oh yeah, and she's black. I was never a fan of Tara in the books, she was a bit of a non-entity. However, TV-Tara is now a complete pain in the arse and I really wish they'd get rid. I'm curious to see how they're going to play out the Franklin Mott storyline in the show, as in the book he was a much older, Italian vamp and didn't have a very central role in relation to Bill.

    I didn't really enjoy the Marianne storyline. She was such a blip in the books, and I would have preferred them to go with the Dallas hotel explosion and the searching afterwards. Harris is great at writing climactic scenes that I would have loved to have seen it on the screen :)

    I'm still enjoying the changes they've made to Jason. I liked the storyline of him joining the Fellowship of the Sun but I have to say, I really hope they go down the road of Hotshot and the werepanthers.

    I'm glad that they made Lafayette a central character (and kept him alive!) :P He has some brilliant lines. Never did the words "hooker" and "bitch" sound so good.

    Sookie, Bill, Eric and Pam are just as I expected. Kudos to whoever did the casting.

    Ok, think thats enough for now! What do the rest of you think?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    RolandIRL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,924 ✭✭✭✭RolandIRL


    I liked the whole Mary-ann storyline in the books. I saw the first two seasons before I started reading the books. the books were easy to get through. i was able to get through one in a day!

    I prefer that they've changed the storylines a good bit. it'd be a bit boring if it was exactly like the books, but the overall Sookie story is roughly the same, i think.

    i'll probably think of more to add, but it's hard to choose between the books and the show. suffice to say, i'm hoping to see some scenes in the books on tv, if you get my meaning ;);)


  • #3
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    whiteman19 wrote: »
    I liked the whole Mary-ann storyline in the books. I saw the first two seasons before I started reading the books. the books were easy to get through. i was able to get through one in a day!

    Yeah I read 9 of them and the short stories collection in less than 3 weeks...whilst studying for my masters. Ridiculously addictive books. The Marianne story in the book wasn't really a central story though, so I was surprised to see the whole series based around that. Although I did like that they kept to the orgy storyline :P
    whiteman19 wrote: »
    I prefer that they've changed the storylines a good bit. it'd be a bit boring if it was exactly like the books, but the overall Sookie story is roughly the same, i think.

    Yeah its quite similar but I wonder if she's going to kill Lorena and save Bill. The sex scene at the end of last weeks was bizarre. I assume that Sookie will find out and Franklin Mott will let her know that Bill was sent to get close to her by Sophie-Anne...leaving the door open for her and Eric.
    whiteman19 wrote: »
    i'll probably think of more to add, but it's hard to choose between the books and the show. suffice to say, i'm hoping to see some scenes in the books on tv, if you get my meaning ;);)

    Let me guess...the shower scene? :P

    Also, what do you think of Sookie being with Eric? I personally don't like it and am still hoping she'll get back with Bill. It just doesn't feel right, particularly as in the books Bill had no choice about Lorena..something that she acknowledged about Eric in the last book when we met his maker.


  • #4
    lindtee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,397 ✭✭✭lindtee


    What bugs me most about the series is Layfayette (like many others), they should have killed him off like in the book, he has no redeming features in my opinion!! AlsoTara (nothing like the book Tara and just plain annoying and on screen wayyy to much) Didn't like the maenad storyline either, way, way too drawn out compared to the books. Would have preferred it to be a blip.

    I love Eric, Pam, and Bill in the series, very well cast. Sookie, I can find her accent annoying but she's ok I suppose. Most are as I pictured with the exception of Tara, for obvious reasons!! The arrival of Jessica annoyed me at first, as she's not in the books at all, but I've grown to like her, especially in the current series, a very good addition I think.

    I'm glad that they made the tv show so different to the books as there's always an element of surprise every episode, I'm not sure I'd like it so much if it were more similar.

    One thing that bugged me about Dead in the Family's cover was it the cast of True Blood, Jessica was on it and sookie was draped over bill. I much prefer the American covers, which all my other books are. Also there was a reference to the theme song "Bad Things" in Dead in the Family. It was being played in Merlottes, don't know why but that reallllly annoyed me:o


  • #5
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    lindtee wrote: »
    One thing that bugged me about Dead in the Family's cover was it the cast of True Blood, Jessica was on it and sookie was draped over bill. I much prefer the American covers, which all my other books are. Also there was a reference to the theme song "Bad Things" in Dead in the Family. It was being played in Merlottes, don't know why but that reallllly annoyed me:o

    I felt exactly the same! Sookie is with Eric, Jessica doesn't exist, Lafayette is dead and Tara isn't black. Really, really annoyed me! I hate this rebranding crap. What about the legions of followers of the BOOKS? Thats who she should be writing for..not those who have only seen the tv show.


  • #6
    DualBladez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭DualBladez


    lindtee wrote: »
    What bugs me most about the series is Layfayette (like many others), they should have killed him off like in the book, he has no redeming features in my opinion!! AlsoTara (nothing like the book Tara and just plain annoying and on screen wayyy to much) Didn't like the maenad storyline either, way, way too drawn out compared to the books. Would have preferred it to be a blip.

    I love Eric, Pam, and Bill in the series, very well cast. Sookie, I can find her accent annoying but she's ok I suppose. Most are as I pictured with the exception of Tara, for obvious reasons!! The arrival of Jessica annoyed me at first, as she's not in the books at all, but I've grown to like her, especially in the current series, a very good addition I think.

    I'm glad that they made the tv show so different to the books as there's always an element of surprise every episode, I'm not sure I'd like it so much if it were more similar.

    One thing that bugged me about Dead in the Family's cover was it the cast of True Blood, Jessica was on it and sookie was draped over bill. I much prefer the American covers, which all my other books are. Also there was a reference to the theme song "Bad Things" in Dead in the Family. It was being played in Merlottes, don't know why but that reallllly annoyed me:o
    yeah should have been killed off


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    shinny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭shinny


    Thanks Chinafoot for starting this thread.

    I read most of the books before True Blood ever aired (up to From Dead to Worse) so I had great expectations and hunted down the Pilot as soon as it aired in the States.

    I agree about the hotel explosion in Dallas and where the story went with Barry etc. I would have much preferred it like that.

    The only thing I liked about the Marianne storyline was that party at the house where Eric showed up in the spandax and what happened on the bonet of the car. Smoken'!!

    I totally visualised Eric like that although the wig they had on him in the first season of TB was awful. Harris had him with long flowing blonde hair though. I was just glad they changed him in Season 2 into the hunk he is now.

    What I was worried about though was that they were going to make screen Eric into a bit of a f*cker and Bill the hero, but I think they've changed that a lot in the tail end of Season 2 and into this season so far. Book Bill was easier to dislike too so you didn't mind that Sookie started to have stronger feelings for Eric. Eric was constantly looking after her in the books and was more concerend about her well being than book Bill. But, I think they've struggled a little with that in the show because a lot of people like nice guy Bill.

    I totally agree about Lafayette. I'm so glad Ball realised that Nelsan Ellis was such a great actor that he kept him in. Brilliant that they created Jessica too because I love her and Hoyt's storyline.

    My biggest problem now is that I have a mesh of the books and the past episodes because it's been so long since I read them. I sometimes forget what was the book and what was the show!! I was only thinking the other day that I want to re-read them all.

    I loved Bubba in the books but there was no way Ball could have translated him into the TV show. It would have made people think this was a wacky show!!

    I haven't ordered Dead in the Family yet as I want to get it in paperback so it matches the others.


  • #8
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    shinny wrote: »
    My biggest problem now is that I have a mesh of the books and the past episodes because it's been so long since I read them. I sometimes forget what was the book and what was the show!! I was only thinking the other day that I want to re-read them all.

    I'm doing that too. I actually convinced myself that Godric was Eric's maker, but I knew it wasn't sitting right with me so I had to check. I find it so hard to separate the books from the tv show. When the show takes a direction that I like, it's grand, but when they go off in a direction I don't like - Tara being a perfect example - I feel a little resentful :P
    shinny wrote: »
    I loved Bubba in the books but there was no way Ball could have translated him into the TV show. It would have made people think this was a wacky show!!

    Aww man, how did I forget Bubba!? Absolutely loved that character in the books. But yeah, completely agree that it would be a bad move to bring the character into the show.
    shinny wrote: »
    I haven't ordered Dead in the Family yet as I want to get it in paperback so it matches the others.

    I work in a library so I just picked up my copy there. So unimpressed with the cover. I really like the cartoony-type. The book is good, but it feels more like a build up to what will hopefully be a kick-ass book 11. :)


  • #9
    shinny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭shinny


    Chinafoot wrote: »
    I work in a library so I just picked up my copy there. So unimpressed with the cover. I really like the cartoony-type. The book is good, but it feels more like a build up to what will hopefully be a kick-ass book 11. :)

    I love the cartoony covers too so I'm not happy they've "true-blooded" it :p

    I was reading reviews about it and it's a real mixed bag. I want to re-read the others before I start into it though.


  • #10
    mandz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 526 ✭✭✭mandz


    Ok I'm only up to all together dead, just started it today. I actually really wanted Sookie and Alcide to get together so was very disappointed with what happened, not mad on this Quinn guy. Bill annoys me and Eric in the book I'm 50/50. I'm not sure I trust his character... but tv Eric....whoop whoop bring on the shower scene. He has to put that in for all the thousands of women out there :D


  • #11
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    mandz wrote: »
    Ok I'm only up to all together dead, just started it today. I actually really wanted Sookie and Alcide to get together so was very disappointed with what happened, not mad on this Quinn guy. Bill annoys me and Eric in the book I'm 50/50. I'm not sure I trust his character... but tv Eric....whoop whoop bring on the shower scene. He has to put that in for all the thousands of women out there :D

    I could never take to Quinn at all. I felt he was pretty pointless tbh. Loved Alcide and thought they would have made a great couple.

    I'm still holding out hope for Sookie and Bill :P


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    mandz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 526 ✭✭✭mandz


    No she should stay away from Bill. I'm holding out for Sookie and Alcide... But like you just can't take to Quinn at all. I'm trying.

    She could end up with Calvin Norris yet and surprise us all!! :D:D


  • #13
    Neyite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,946 ✭✭✭✭Neyite


    lindtee wrote: »
    Dead in the Family's cover

    wait... theres a new book out? :D


  • #14
    RentDayBlues
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,133 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    Loved all the True Blood books but the last one was very disappointing! I cant wait to see how they're going to translate some of the later books into TV and I can't wait to see what Quinn is going to look like. . . one of the only characters its hard to imagine, well obviously with the exception of the fairies


  • #15
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    So after last nights episode...what do you make of the change to Russell, King of Mississippi??


  • #16
    Nevyn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    So I read Dead in the Family yesterday, and honestly the books seem to get more and more like the Anita Blake series.


  • #17
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    Thaedydal wrote: »
    So I read Dead in the Family yesterday, and honestly the books seem to get more and more like the Anita Blake series.

    Dead in the Family, for me, felt like a introduction to the next book. I wasn't all too happy with it. It felt like filler.


  • #18
    shinny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭shinny


    Just watched the latest episode. So this is how they are going to play Eric and Sookie's relationship either him fantasizing or her dreaming. I loved that scene with them both when she said about the ocean pity it's not like the book and real!


  • #19
    Caked Karen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 574 ✭✭✭Caked Karen


    great thread!

    totally agree with the Bubba thing - would love to see how Ball would even attempt to bring him in - he was great though. he had all the little one liners and even though he was described as not the best looking chap, he just always seemed cute!

    god i pray that the shower scene comes! honestly, i think even all the men who watch the show would enjoy it! it would just be heaven! do you think there is a chance that they will go like the books and Eric will have the memory loss and witches etc - suppose that could happen next season maybe if more of Sookie's "fairyness" is revealed.

    never took to Quinn in the books but i know i cant remember exactly, but which book is it that the King is murdered and the fellowship come to bomb the hotel/conference/trial (i know i am all mixed up but hoping people know what i am on about)...if that get to our tv, it could be epic!!


  • #20
    mandz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 526 ✭✭✭mandz


    Caked Karen wrote: »

    never took to Quinn in the books but i know i cant remember exactly, but which book is it that the King is murdered and the fellowship come to bomb the hotel/conference/trial (i know i am all mixed up but hoping people know what i am on about)...if that get to our tv, it could be epic!!

    That book was "All Together Dead", I'm currently reading from "Dead to Worse". I really tried to warm to Quinn in All Together Dead after finding out his history but just can't. Alcide is kinda my favourite. I liked him when he came in to the books so delighted they've brought him into the tv series.

    Totally with you for bringing the shower scene into the tv show :D:D


  • #21
    juke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,673 ✭✭✭juke


    I haven't seen True Blood yet :o

    I read the books in quick succession earlier in the year, and only found out about the TV show recently. Roll on TG4!

    From what I understand, most of season 1 is just the first book?

    I agree with the comments about the last book - definitely a filler!

    But Quinn....of all Sookie's suiters, he's my fav ! Him or Alcide.

    Maybe I need to see them in flesh, as it were, to appreciate Bill or Eric more :pac:


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    mandz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 526 ✭✭✭mandz


    juke wrote: »
    I haven't seen True Blood yet :o

    I read the books in quick succession earlier in the year, and only found out about the TV show recently. Roll on TG4!

    I hope you recorded it on TG4 last night, they showed the first two episodes last night.
    juke wrote: »

    But Quinn....of all Sookie's suiters, he's my fav ! Him or Alcide.

    Maybe I need to see them in flesh, as it were, to appreciate Bill or Eric more :pac:

    I'm halfway through Dead and Gone now and I have to say I did actually warm to Quinn a little in the end after learning of his history. I thought Sookie was a cow the way she ended it, the poor guy. I can understand her being furious and hurt with how he lead the vamps to her but he made a point when he asked why she was being harder on him. I don't think I want her to end up with Eric, he's too sneaky (yeah I do love his character though) but I think she would be better off with someone like Alcide or Quinn.

    Alcide has been well cast in the show. He is definitely giving Eric a run for his money in my books....:D


  • #23
    juke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,673 ✭✭✭juke


    mandz wrote: »
    I hope you recorded it on TG4 last night, they showed the first two episodes last night.

    Watched the first, recorded the second. Thanks Elmo.
    Loved it. Spent ages trying to workout where I know Jason from - Home and Away, lol :pac:

    Like the characters so far, but expected Sam to be more.....I dunno....brawny? He came accross a bit too gentle from what I had imagined.


  • #24
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I am just about to start reading the books again.
    I've read them all, incl the short stories but I keep muddling up which characters should be in which season so hoping this will refresh my memory.

    I have to say: I wasn't a fan of the last two books. It felt like she had too many characters and wasn't able to keep juggling them like she normally could. Also, the writing became very sloppy. If you read the short stories, you can see the difference as they progress: the older ones are more engaging, the later ones feel like she's in a rush somewhere and has to lump something together no matter what it turns out like.
    Hopefully she'll come back to form with the next book, but I'm not holding my breath. While DITF didn't seem as bad as the previous book, she wrapped it up way too quickly and she definitely didn't explore the storylines as well as she could have.

    Anyway - books v's tv show: love the tv show & love the older books. Quinn will be interesting casting, if they cast him at all: I get the vibe that Eric and Sookie will get together sooner rather than wayyyy later. Quinn just felt like a filler between Sookie's time with Bill and her time with Eric but if they get together this season there would be no need for Quinn.
    I find that I am not as interested in life in Bon Temps if the vampires aren't there. Defo need more Pam and Jessica time. And a better sunblock so that the vampires can come out during daylight hours;)


  • #25
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    I'm really unimpressed with the change they've made to the people of Hotshot, particularly Calvin. I liked that he was seen as an honourable man in the books...in the tv show he's a V selling, meth dealer. :(


  • #26
    shinny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭shinny


    Chinafoot wrote: »
    I'm really unimpressed with the change they've made to the people of Hotshot, particularly Calvin. I liked that he was seen as an honourable man in the books...in the tv show he's a V selling, meth dealer. :(

    Me too, totally agree. I always thought though when I heard they were doing a TV show how were they going to convey all Sookie's "relationships" without her looking like a slapper. I think this is one they obviously decided to leave even though I know Calvin had a thing for her and not the other way around, but she did flirt with him alot!


  • #27
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Yeah - Calvin was a good guy in the books and Crystal was never worth the time of day.

    I suppose they had to make her more likeable so we'd go for the Jason story line, but all I can think of is how Sookie viewed her in the books i.e. Trouble!

    So is her fiancée going to be the one to bite Jason then?????

    I think TV Jason is a bit too optimistic to turn into a were - how will people react to dark, troubled Jason when they are used to the bright smiley character?


  • #28
    PARARORY
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 294 ✭✭PARARORY


    I watched the show before I got into the books but the books are brilliant!
    I have to say that the casting is spot on. Especially for Sookie , Pam , Eric and Sam. Tara is less "fierce" in the books I think , and she's not really in the first few which was surprising!

    I couldn't believe that Charlaine Harris is 58 years old and how she can relate to younger people more than alot of my friends (Im 18)

    The addition of Jessica was great , I sort of wish Lafayette had died like in the books , I've slowly begin to hate Bill Compton and wish he would just fúck off sometimes!

    My hopes for the tv show - they need the witches :D especially Amelia , the ectoplasmic reconstruction and all that would be great.


    I can't stand the actress that plays Crystal Norris in the show! I imagined her so differently and she really doesnt suit her.


    Can anyone recommend other books/series that are like the TB one?


  • #29
    shinny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭shinny


    Ok, I've just watched "Hitting the Ground" and am delighted to see Claudine!! Are we going to see her twin brother too, Claude? I hope that they don't just exist in this "fantasy" world and come into the real world. It would be funny to see Eric, Pam and Bill not being able to control themselves around them!!!

    This is getting very interesting and I can't wait to see next weeks episode :-)


  • #30
    Chinafoot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,894 ✭✭✭Chinafoot


    I wasn't overly impressed with the casting for Claudine. She's too short and much older than I expected. I'm glad that they're going with the fairy storyline though.


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    shinny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭shinny


    Chinafoot wrote: »
    I wasn't overly impressed with the casting for Claudine. She's too short and much older than I expected. I'm glad that they're going with the fairy storyline though.

    I'd agree with that. I pictured her totally differently and really tall too!!


Advertisement
Advertisement