Matt McAvoy Book Review

Although this is the first time I’ve read an ARC on global dating, there is something strangely familiar about it, particularly in terms of its structure and content.  When I managed to put my finger on what it was, I then just couldn’t shake the opinion; Find Love Overseas reminded me not just a small amount of the many, many marketing and business strategy books I have reviewed.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to trivialize the obviously tremendous amount of work John and Anzhela have put into this book, nor do I mean any disrespect to them or the thousands of people who participate in overseas introduction, it just genuinely felt like I was reading something which might otherwise be entitled How to Succeed in Business, or perhaps How to Win That Contract.  There was just something very transactive about the way the information is gathered, analyzed and evaluated throughout this professional educational guide.  The complex factors of dating feel like a presentation of data, and the subject is studied and concluded empirically.  Success is measured by numerous criteria and evaluated by economy and cost effectiveness.  Furthermore, there is one conspicuous factor which appears to be absent in the strategies suggested for finding a wife (which seems to be the primary objective of this book), and that is *love*.  Despite the book’s title, there seems to be a slightly cool assumption that love will follow.  This is not to criticize or judge the many cultures around the world which uses the chemistry pairing model of marriage successfully and happily, nor the individuals who use dating agencies, I’m just not so sure this book was for me.

At this point, I should emphasize the book’s merits, of which there are a lot.  There is abundant practical advice for foreign travel generally, in the context of dating, and some good guidance about which types of agencies to use and which official departments you will need the assistance of in different countries.  Most helpful of all, there is also relevant advice of which types of people to avoid, and the dangers of catfishing and letter-writing scams.  If you are set on travelling to find a wife, particularly in a non-English speaking country, it is an immensely valuable read, and a highly recommended resource which you shouldn’t be without.  The fact that it was written by both John and his wife is a superb credential of its accuracy and authority; there is no doubt whatsoever that Anzhela had tremendous input into this book, which can only be good for its credibility.

I don’t know, call me old-fashioned, but something just didn’t sit right with me – though I should stress that is just my opinion.  I would advise that it is only aimed at its niche target audience, and may raise eyebrows of others.  As well as its business-like, financially geared approach, I did have a major concern, and in this respect I may be well out of line, but there just didn’t seem to be any enquiry or mention of why the women are so eager to meet such men and leave their current situation.  Of course, I’m aware that many men go their new bride’s country to live, but I get the impression those are not who this book is aimed at.  Many of the countries on the top 20 list are the poorer or less Westernized ones, as you might expect, and whilst I understand that many women simply desire a partner to help them achieve their dream of a Western lifestyle, I can’t help thinking that there are many, many who seek escape.  The fact that the question isn’t even a consideration or factor in the decision-making process made me feel more than a little uncomfortable.  However, I also acknowledge that I might be simply playing the ignorant “white knight” Westerner.  So, I reiterate that it is not judgment on my part, simply caution.

But, that said, the men are going to seek these women and the women are going to seek these men, so in that case I can only sincerely wish all parties luck and happiness.  I can also pretty much assure that this book will be useful to a large number of readers, and would therefore recommend it to them for its information, work-rate and articulation.  A well-constructed guide; the first I have read on the subject, and definitely the best!