History Literature / NightOfTheLivingDummy

It is one of the nineteen original series books that was not adapted into [[Series/{{Goosebumps}} the TV series]]. It would later be adapted into an installment of the ''Goosebumps Graphix'' series, included in the ''Slappy's Tales of Horror'' collection.

* {{Allusion}}: The title is a reference to ''Film/{{Night of the Living Dead| 1968}}''.

* WholePlotReference: This book is almost an unofficial ''Film/ChildsPlay'' {{novelization}}.

--> ''Living Dummy'' saga: '''I''' | [[Literature/{{Night of the Living Dummy II}} II]] | [[Literature/{{Night of the Living Dummy III}} III]] | Literature/{{Bride| of the Living Dummy}}

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: As several people, along with the blogger himself, pointed out on the [[http://www.bloggerbeware.com snarky Goosebumps blog]], the ''Night of the Living Dummy'' series may be creepy as a child, but as an adult, a completely different layer of creepy reveals itself. The living dummy in question is obsessed with making preteen girls (and it's always girls, never boys in these books) into his slaves. When they refuse, he punches and slaps them - a rare act of physical violence for this series - and knocks one girl unconscious.

* TookALevelInKindness: Lindy seems to take one about midway through the book, possibly out of remorse for [[spoiler: the downright sadistic "joke" she plays on Kris]]. There's one scene where Kris sees Mr.Wood move and Lindy [[PetTheDog tries to comfort her by saying it was just a nightmare.]] Unfortunately, they quickly realize it ''wasn't'' a nightmare, and he really is alive.

* UnInstallment: While both ''Night of the Living Dummy II'' and ''III'' (and ''Bride'') made their way into the [=TV=] series, the original ''Night of the Living Dummy'' was never adapted from the novel.

* AdultFear: As several people, along with the blogger himself, pointed out on the [[http://www.bloggerbeware.com snarky Goosebumps blog]], the ''Night of the Living Dummy'' series may be creepy as a child, but as an adult, a completely different layer of creepy reveals itself. The living dummy in question is obsessed with making preteen girls (and it's always girls, never boys in these books) into his slaves. When they refuse, he punches and slaps them - a rare act of physical violence for this series - and knocks one girl unconscious.

Kris and Lindy are sisters who compete at everything. When they come across a discarded dummy, Lindy takes to ventriloquism, and immediately starts garnering praise. Well, Kris will just have to prove she's just as good with a dummy their dad picks up from a pawn shop. Unfortunately for Kris, afer she reads some strange words on a scrap of paper that came with her dummy, he comes to life. And he's ''evil'', violent, and aggressive, and tries to force the sisters into becoming his slaves. Before it's too late, Kris must find a way to save herself and her family from the evil Mr. Wood.

--> ''Living Dummy'' saga: '''I''' | [[Literature/{{Night of the Living Dummy II}} II]] | [[Literature/{{Night of the Living Dummy III}} III]]

* WholePlotReference: This book is almost an unofficial ''Film/ChildsPlay'' {{novelization}}.

* {{Allusion}}: the title is a reference to ''Film/{{Night of the Living Dead| 1968}}''

!!It provides examples of:

It is one of the nineteen original series books that was not adapted into [[Series/{{Goosebumps}} the TV series]].

[[EarlyInstalmentWeirdness That's right, Mr. Wood]]. This book may have introduced Slappy, the most popular and frequently-recurring ''Goosebumps'' villain, but the main antagonist is Mr. Wood. Fans of the series will be surprised that Slappy doesn't really do anything, and indeed is apparently inanimate for the rest of the book; he wouldn't become the recurring villain fans know and love until the direct sequel, ''Literature/NightOfTheLivingDummyII''.

!! It provides examples of:

* BreakTheCutie: Mr. Wood attempts to torment Kris and Lindy into being his slaves. [[spoiler:And Slappy may have succeeded]].
%%* DemonicDummy: Two of them!
* EarlyInstalmentWeirdness: Slappy is the most well-known ''Goosebumps'' character and the mascot of the series, which makes it rather surprising that he's a minor supporting character in his first appearance.

* WholePlotReference: This book is almost an unofficial ''Film/ChildsPlay'' {{novelisation}}.

* BreakoutVillain: Slappy was a minor character in this book (he may be on the cover, but Mr. Wood is teh villain), but in the sequels was brought back as the primary villain. Slappy was even the main character of a book of his own.

* DemonicDummy: Two of them!