Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m sharing my review of Francine Hughes’ novelisation of the 1994 live-action film The Flintstones.
The Flintstones was published in 1994 by Random House and is 60 pages long.
The Plot
The story follows Fred Flintstone, a hardworking, loyal employee of the local quarry, and his best friend Barney Rubble, who is struggling to provide for his own family. Together, they get caught up in a corporate conspiracy threatening to upend their peaceful town of Bedrock.
Characters
Fred Flintstone
As the story’s protagonist, Fred is a hard worker and a loyal husband to Wilma. He works at Slate & Co. alongside his best friend Barney Rubble but dreams of bigger things. When the opportunity to become a “higher up” presents itself, Fred takes it, but he soon learns there are more important things than becoming a big shot.
Wilma Flintstone
Wilma is Fred’s devoted wife. She is a strong woman, and more often than not, she is the voice of reason amongst the growing tension and animosity between the Flintstones and the Rubbles.
Pebbles Flintstone
Pebbles is Fred and Wilma’s daughter. She is a playful toddler who is the apple of her parents’ eyes and is best friends with Bamm-Bamm.
Dino
Dino is the Flintstones’ pet purple dinosaur who adds a dash of humour to the story. He is a lovable character who nicely rounds out the Flintstone family while adding an extra dose of humour.
Barney Rubble
Barney is Fred’s loyal sidekick. He is a bit more laid-back than Fred but just as devoted to his family and friends. So loyal is Barney that when he and Fred take an aptitude test for a promotion, Barney switches their tests, ensuring Fred has a better shot.
Betty Rubble
Betty is Barney’s wife. She is a sweet-natured and caring woman who supports her husband no matter what. She is also best friends with Wilma — a friendship tested after their husbands fall out.
Bamm-Bamm Rubble
Bamm-Bamm is Barney and Betty’s adopted son. He is a super-strong toddler who loves to hang out and play with Pebbles.
Pearl Slaghoople
Pearl is Wilma’s mother. She is a snobbish woman who disapproves of Fred and constantly tries to get Wilma to see that she has made a mistake in marrying him.
Cliff Vandercave
Cliff is the story’s antagonist and the vice president of Slate & Co., the quarry where Fred and Barney work. He is a scheming, manipulative character trying to embezzle money from the company, using Fred as a scapegoat.
Miss Sharon Stone
Sharon is Cliff’s assistant. She is a seductive character who Cliff tries to use to manipulate Fred by making her Fred’s secretary, though where Cliff lacks morals and empathy, Miss Stone seems to find hers just when it matters most.
Writing Style
The book, obviously aimed at children, was a quick and easy read, and at only sixty pages, I was able to read it in one sitting. Its plot is an oversimplified version of the film, with many scenes either shortened or removed entirely, allowing for short paragraphs and chapters.
As a fan of the film, I was eager to dive into this book and see how the two compared — and while the story is faithfully adapted, there is no expansion of the plot or characters’ backstories (the whole point of reading a novelisation, in my opinion). Honestly, I was expecting a little more.
However, with all that said, Hughes did represent the world of Bedrock and its inhabitants well, depicting the town and the main characters’ characteristics and personalities just as they are on screen.
While the book was not what I had expected, one thing I did enjoy about this novelisation was the nostalgia aspect. I grew up watching The Flintstones cartoon and all its spinoffs, and as I said, I loved the live-action film, so reading this was like a little trip back to my childhood.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I was disappointed with the novelisation; I had expected to read an expanded version of the film and perhaps learn more about Bedrock. Also, I am not the book’s target demographic, being I’m an adult, and it was written for children, who I am sure will enjoy it very much.
I am giving The Flintstones a 4/10.
Are you a fan of the live-action Flintstones film? Have you read this novelisation? What did you think?
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.
Until next time,
George
© 2024 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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