The Executioner #1: Mafia Wars, Don Pendleton

   I remember a long time ago, my mom bought or was given a box filled with books from a couple of series: The Executioner and The Destroyer. I probably read every one of the Destroyer series that the box contained. Maybe there were 60 or so in the box. I really enjoyed them. The other series was The Executioner. I may have read one or two, I cannot really remember. But I never took to it. For whatever reason, I wanted to give it a shot. So, I got this one and gave it a read.
   Joe Kenney classifies it as "glorious trash." I think he's being a bit generous, myself. These books are trash. They probably translate to TV movies or episodes very well. It's so kitsch. For Kenney, the book is a monument against political correctness. It might not be politically correct in today's climate, but it wasn't in its own day. Quite frankly, I don't find it to be politically reckless at all. It just doesn't fit today's climate.
   The hero is getting revenge against the mafia for killing his father over a trivial debt. That's how it all gets started. He goes on a planned rampage that brings the entire mafia down in his area. My problem with it is that, though the mafia is certainly involved in bad affairs, there is a certain kind of peace because of their ability to monopolize their trade. There are no turf wars. But, once they are removed, there will be a kind of power vacuum which means a kind of war. I guess that is a fairly serious look at how Bolan's actions would have long lasting impact on the area when it's just a cheap thrills type of book. Such thinking isn't really important. Bolan's father took a loan he couldn't pay back, and he paid with his life. But was it worth killing dozens of people over it? Perhaps those soldiers who fought for the profit lines of the mafia aren't worth anything. It's just a story, right?
   The other thing that I found so kitsch was the 'romance'. The porno scenes inside are so cheesy as he gets into these sort of semi-grotesque sounding women who welcome him with open legs like the cheesy sluts they're portrayed to be. I love sluts. But I prefer my sluts to have something between their ears as well as their legs. They don't have to be smart, but they ought to have more personality than a cardboard box or an inflatable doll.
   Books like this are good because they give me a contrast to the high quality fiction which I am generally fond of reading. I think Stephen King, among others, mentions that it's a good habit to read everything good or bad. I would have to say the chances of me reading The Executioner #2 are slim to none.