Dead Until Dark
Cover of Dead Until Dark
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| Author | Charlaine Harris |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Southern Vampire Mysteries |
| Genre | Fantasy, Mystery, Gothic, Romance |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
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Publication date
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May 1, 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) e-Book (Kindle) Audio Book (CD) |
| Pages | 292(Hardcover) |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 46875089 |
| LC Class | CPB Box no. 1850 vol. 12 |
| Followed by | Living Dead in Dallas |
Dead Until Dark, published in 2001, is the first novel in Charlaine Harris' series The Southern Vampire Mysteries.
Dead Until Dark, like the rest of the series to which it belongs, is narrated by Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress from the small fictional Louisiana town of Bon Temps, not far from the non-fictional town of Shreveport. It is set at approximately the same time as the book's publication. However, in the world of the novel, vampires (and other supernatural creatures) are a reality.
At some point in the recent past, Sookie tells us, the invention of synthetic blood, called Tru Blood, has made it unnecessary for vampires to feed on humans for sustenance, thus allowing the world's previously underground vampire community to reveal its existence to humans. This "Great Revelation" was an internationally televised event in which vampires expressed the desire for peaceful coexistence with humans. Also relevant to plot development is the fact that vampire blood is an addictive and illegal drug which accelerates healing, increases strength, improves the libido, and make the person who drinks it better-looking.
Sookie is 25 years old and works as a barmaid at Merlotte's. She lives in Bon Temps with her grandmother, Adele. She also has an older brother, Jason, but he lives on his own. Her parents died in a flash flood when she was young.
Since her childhood, Sookie has been capable of reading people's minds, but she doesn't see it as a blessing. Because of her "disability", she can't help knowing what other people are thinking all the time, unless she concentrates and "puts up her guard". That's why she never wanted to go to college, because she wouldn't have been able to study and repress her gift at the same time. Furthermore, she never had a boyfriend or sexual relationships because she couldn't feel comfortable if her partner thought something bad about her.
Early in the book, Sookie meets a vampire, a Civil War veteran named Bill Compton, while working at Merlotte's. After first meeting Bill, Sookie saves him from the Rattrays, a couple of drainers (people who steal blood from vampires). Then, Sookie realizes she cannot read the minds of vampires. Bill returns the favor several days later when the Rattrays attack Sookie, in revenge. Sookie ends up seriously wounded, but Bill gives her his blood, so she can heal quickly.
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