Sookie Stackhouse
Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic barmaid living in Bon Temps and the entire Southern Vampire mystery series is told from her point of view. Sookie is self-described as "blonde and blue-eyed and twenty-five, and [her] legs are strong and [her] bosom is substantial and [she] has a waspy waistline." Many of the males in the series find her very attractive (Bill, Eric, Sam, Alcide, Quinn, and many, many others), but some seem to have issues coping with her telepathy or involvement with other supernatural creatures. Sookie is a small-town girl who adheres to traditional southern standards - she won't put up with 'dirty talk,' cleans house for visiting company, and exhibits several other 'southern sensibilities' throughout the series.
Sookie's telepathy manifested itself early in her childhood. She does not recall a time when she was not able to hear the thoughts of other people around her; before she was seven, her father asked her to "listen" to a man who wished to enter into business with him, indicating that Sookie's parents were well aware of her telepathic abilities despite her young age. Human thoughts are broadcast to Sookie in what she describes as words, phrases and images rather than complete sentences, though if someone is thinking something directly at her with the intention of Sookie being able to hear that thought, she has been able to "read" that thought in a complete sentence. The thoughts of supernatural beings of human decent a.k.a. "Supes" (ie. shifters, witches and werewolves) do not come across as clearly as pure humans - rather their thoughts are "snarly" and Sookie can sometimes only read their emotions. What makes vampires so calming and alluring to Sookie is that she is unable to read their thoughts or emotions at all. Around a vampire, Sookie feels like what she imagines "regular" humans feel around each other - completely oblivious to the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others around her. On a few occasions, Sookie has caught glimpses into the thoughts of a vampire (Eric more than once), but she keeps these instances secret from everyone for fear that they would kill her if the vampires found out.
Sookie works primarily as a barmaid at Merlotte's bar, the local hang-out owned by friend and shape-shifter Sam Merlotte. Her association with vampires leads her to take on several other odd jobs that earn her a modicum of extra income, though that is usually quickly eaten up by property taxes and house repairs. As her involvement with the vampire and supernatural community (Eric Northman in particular) increases, Sookie's telepathic talents are utilized by increasingly superior supernatural beings - several kings and queens of neighboring states, the Fae and even a vampire known as the Ancient Pythoness, the original oracle consulted by Alexander the Great. Despite these extra jobs, Sookie is often troubled with financial worries regarding her house and how she will support herself. Her pride prevents her from accepting gifts from her wealthier friends and aquaintences; if she accepts financial help from anyone, then she is going to earn it.
Family
Mama Stackhouse - (un-named in books; deceased in a flood before the series begins)
Corbett Hale Stackhouse - (deceased in a flood before the series begins)
Adele Stackhouse (nee Hale) - Sookie's Paternal Grandmother; (deceased; Dead Until Dark)
Jason Stackhouse - Sookie's brother (bitten werepanther; Dead to the World)
Bartlett Hale - Gran's brother; Sookie's great-uncle (deceased; Dead Until Dark)
Linda Stackhouse Delahoussaye - Gran's daughter; Sookie's aunt (deceased prior to series)
Hadley Delahoussaye/Savoy - Sookie's cousin; Linda's daughter (Vampire; deceased; Bite's "One Word Answer")
Hunter Savoy - Sookie's second cousin (Hadley's pre-vampire son)
Niall Brigant - Fae prince; Sookie's Paternal Great-Grandfather (~1200-1300 years old; From Dead to Worse)
Einin - Sookie's Paternal Great-grandmother (deceased; From Dead to Worse)
Fintan - Sookie's Paternal Grandfather (deceased at 700; From Dead to Worse
Dermot - Sookie's Great-Uncle (Fintan's brother; From Dead to Worse)
Claudine - Sookie's cousin via Niall (From Dead to Worse)
Claude - Sookie's cousin via Niall (From Dead to Worse)
Claudia - Sookie's cousin via Niall (deceased prior to series)
Her Relationship with Eric Northman
Sookie meets Eric briefly in Dead Until Dark when she is taken to his vampire tourist bar, Fangtasia. At first, she is wary of Eric, but by the second book, Living Dead in Dallas, Sookie trusts Eric with her life. She has shared blood with Eric several times, which may contribute to her early feelings of security in the second book. In Dead to the World, Eric loses his memory as a result of a witch's curse; Sookie finds him and shelters him as the other vampires attempt to figure out a way to counter the curse and deal with the witches who placed it. Sookie develops deeper feelings for Eric, but feels guilty about them because it is his softer, entanglement-free side (though she admits to being fond of the real Eric). They do sleep together, but when Eric regains his memories, he claims not to remember anything - Sookie makes no move to remind him, much to her chagrin. Things cool significantly between Sookie and Eric immediately after Dead to the World. Their banter-filled relationship begins heating up again with Definitely Dead and All Together Dead to the point that Pam visits Sookie, pointing out that Eric and Sookie's "game" is not good for the vampires and needs to be resolved relatively soon. Further, she bluntly states to Sookie that Sookie cares for Eric and needs to admit that to herself. Eric does eventually remember the events of Dead to the World. Later, in Dead and Gone, Eric tricks Sookie into presenting him a ceremonial knife in the presence of Victor Madden; this is the vampire equivalent of a marriage and prevents Victor from taking Sookie away to Nevada. Though upset by Eric's "high-handed" ways, Sookie realizes that he is only looking out for her well-being. In Dead in the Family, Sookie finally admits out loud to others that she loves Eric.
Sisters and Affiliates
