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Original poster

True Blood: read the books first, or watch the series?

59 replies

FromGirders · 27/04/2010 20:29

I just bought the True Blood series (very cheap) on Book People, and was planning to read them, but now I see that series 1 is on BT Vision On Demand.
Which should I do first? And why?

OP posts:
MamaG · 27/04/2010 20:30
lifesucks · 27/04/2010 20:36

i have watched the tv series and now i am reading the books.i am half way through the first book.alot of it is similar.if i had the choice again i would read the books first.

peggotty · 27/04/2010 20:38

The tv series does not follow the books all that closely. And the tv series is better imo!

WorzselMummage · 27/04/2010 20:40

Oh watch the series, most definatly!

EricNorthmansmistress · 27/04/2010 21:50

Watch series one, then get stuck in to the books. Series one follows the first book more closely so enjoy the suspense of the series without ruining it, then series two diverges quite a bit. Once you get stuck in you'll get to book 9 in no time!

meridian · 30/04/2010 10:29

I watched the first few episodes of the show before I bought the first book.... there are parts of the show I love more than the books (the secondary characters) but both are very enjoyable... the show just fleshes out the characters that barely get a name check in the books and add a bit more humour to things (Tara, Layfeytte etc)

TheInvisibleManDidIt · 30/04/2010 10:34

I don't really think it matters what order you watch/ read in. I found the books very different from the series. The first books probably the closest.

The books are really easy reading, but I liked them.

Charlieknows · 30/04/2010 22:03

I don't really think it matters which one you watch or read first. They have the same characters in them and similar story lines, but differ with some plot twists. I watched the first 2 episodes of the first series first then read the first 3 books, then watched and read them together.

I found that the series didn't annoy me as much as I've heard other people going on about because I'd done it that way and I found Anna Paquain fitted the Sookie role much better that way too.

Just my humble opinion.

tillyfernackerpants · 30/04/2010 22:27

I agree, it doesn't really matter. Some of the storylines are similar but it won't ruin the books (or the series if you read the books first)

I watched series 1, then read most of the books & will now start watching series 2

PfftTheMagicDragon · 30/04/2010 22:31

It doesn't matter.

They are different enough for it not to matter. Alan Ball has done a great job of turning the books into a show, expanding the right characters and dropping some dull stuff.

It took me a couple of episodes to get over the overly southern accents and the cheesy nature (of the books and the show) but once I did I really got into it.

Minisodes are out now!

snickersnack · 30/04/2010 22:36

What Ericnorthmansmistress said, and she should know with a name like that.

They are very different things. I think the tv series is inspired. Absolutely love it. The books are entertaining but not nearly as dark.

tillyfernackerpants · 01/05/2010 09:01

I prefer the series as well, I know some people find Anna Paquin irritating but I think she's doing ok!

Pfft, what are the minisodes?!

PfftTheMagicDragon · 01/05/2010 12:50

They are showing them online is the US, little mini-episodes, teasers for the new series which starts next month.

They are only a few minutes long, you can see the first one (Eric and Pam) here, there is a new one every week.

tillyfernackerpants · 02/05/2010 10:28

Thanks Pfft, will have a look at them today

4andnotout · 02/05/2010 10:36

I have only read the books, I've missed all the tv show , might buy the DVD so I can catch up.

DEPECHEMODEFANISBACK · 02/05/2010 10:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LyraSilvertongue · 02/05/2010 10:44

The TV series is far, far better than the books (and I never say that, I usually prefer the book).
Charlaine Harris is a terrible writer. And some of her minor characters have been beefed up for the tv series, very successfully. Lafayette is one of my favourite characters but he's barely mentioned in the books.

tillyfernackerpants · 02/05/2010 11:08

Alan Ball has done a good job of beefing up some characters & storylines, & cutting others. The whole Jason story played out much better in the series than in the book

PfftTheMagicDragon · 02/05/2010 12:19

I imagine it must be hard, as there are so few main characters in the book, so many of them have these tiny parts. Though none so small as LaFayette.

LyraSilvertongue · 02/05/2010 14:56

So glad they dropped the E* * * s storyline. That was ridiculous.

LyraSilvertongue · 02/05/2010 14:57

(Had to separate the asterisks to avoid it doing the bold thing. But you know what I mean).

PfftTheMagicDragon · 02/05/2010 15:50

Yes, I was reading something with Alan Ball and he was saying that it would have been impossible to do well - to get someone who looked close enough, or to maybe have him always our of shot, just a voice. So they dropped it. It was a bizarre story line though.

Am looking forward to series 4, I assume we will have the naked Eric on the side of the road story

tillyfernackerpants · 02/05/2010 17:51

I'm trying to think which bit you mean

LyraSilvertongue · 02/05/2010 18:12

Tilly, book 1, page 264 onwards. Ridiculous.

4andnotout · 02/05/2010 18:20

Oh I quite liked Bubba, what happens then when they "do" club dead?

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