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Russian
Women & Marriage: Love Letters... From Russia
BOOK REVIEW
by Rick Lanning, Clovis, NM
Ebook - Autobiography By Weston Rogers /Love
Letters... From Russia/ “I want a girl, just like the girl, that married dear old
Dad...” These words from a song made popular in the 1940’s
ran through my head as I read Love Letters... From Russia,
a book by Weston Rogers.
Rogers wrote the book after he traveled to the Soviet
Union to pursue a dream: he wanted to marry a Russian
woman he had never met. Oh, Rogers had corresponded
with the woman and even talked to her on the phone. In
fact, he had corresponded with many women from the Soviet
Union before narrowing his prospects down to a number he
could manage. Armed with good intentions, his
Russian-American dictionary, and a dream, he traveled to
Moscow and the book resulted.
Rogers’ book is a unique experiment in writing an
autobiographical docudrama. And it works. Being a
divorced male myself, I found it intriguing to follow this
Dallas businessman as he went through Customs and entered
the heart of the Kremlin to find a woman he could love,
cherish, and spend the rest of his life with.
As Rogers explained in the introduction to the book, “Since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, 1000’s of men
have gone through the painstaking process of bringing
Russian women to America for marriage. Why are these men
opening their hearts to marry Russian women, who
frequently speak little English?” Why, indeed?
In his 542-page CD book, Rogers describes the difficulties
of communicating with the women he met, even using an
interpreter. For a number of reasons, he had made a
personal commitment to be married during 1992. He had
pursued a number of American women for several years,
without luck. As Rogers candidly writes, “My average looks
could not compete in the superficial world of dating. Few
women ever came to know the man behind the face.”
Feeling there had to be a better, more logical way to meet
his Juliet, he began pursuing other outlets.
He read an article in November 1991 about Russian women
who wanted to marry American men in order to escape
the horrible economic conditions in the Soviet Union. To
them, (and to Rogers) nationality made no difference.
Intrigued by the possibilities, he began his quest in
earnest. As Rogers puts it, “The process is not simple and
it isn’t cheap. But the reward of marriage is worth the
effort. I have never embarked upon any other quest that
was as personally fulfilling.”
Love Letters... From Russia reads as well -- make that
better -- than any spy novel. You will follow Rogers
as he meets the women he knew only from their personal ads
and the letters they exchanged. The subterfuge, the
romance, shopping in Gorky Square, and the passion. You
will agonize with him as he weighs the virtues of Tatyana,
Yulia, Angelina, and Natasha. The initial meetings, the
shopping, the restaurants, trying to communicate, trying
to understand what they think and feel, and trying to
express his own emotions, his beliefs of what a marriage
should and can be.
Most readers, particularly if you are male and divorced or
widowed, will find it difficult to put this book down. I
liked the description he writes of his first meeting with
Natasha, the woman he will eventually marry. “It had
been over three months since I received Natasha’s first
letter. I recalled the countless nights I had listened
to music alone in my home, reading her letters. Gazing at
her picture, I could scarcely believe the moment of our
meeting was at hand. We (the interpreter) drove to the
Bolshoy Theater, and as we ascended the steps I recognized
Natasha standing with her back to us. I slowly put my hand
on her shoulder trying not to startle her and said hello. “Natasha looked like a china doll, with soft white
skin, red lips and perfect white teeth. Her hair was
full bodied glistening with a red sheen. At first glance I
was surprised to find Natasha was wearing fake eye lashes,
but a closer look revealed that her long eye lashes were
natural. She was wearing a knee-lenght dress in multi
shades of green. Natasha was decidedly more striking in
person than in the pictures she had sent with her letter.”
See what I mean?
For me, the love letters from Russia worked. Read the
book. It will stay with you long after you’ve turned the
final page.
BOOK REVIEW
by Rick Lanning, Clovis, NM
Ebook - Autobiography By Weston Rogers /Love
Letters... From Russia/
READER’S TESTIMONIALS:
“I received my copy this
afternoon and I finished it in about three hours. I just
could not put it down. I must thank you for sharing your
experiences and the information in your book. It will
probably be the best money I have spent this year, other
than the addresses I have ordered.” James Bell, Hollywood,
FL.
“I read Love Letters...
From Russia in only two days, because it is so interesting
-- like a soap opera. I had to know the whole story!
Thanks for providing this information to others like me.”
Norm Hill, Bothell, WA
“Overall, I wanted to
let you know that I enjoyed reading your book and not just
from an informational aspect. As I got into the part where
you were meeting the ladies in Russia, it was as if I was
there with you! I couldn’t put the book down and read into
the wee hours of the morning. I could almost sense the
anxiety and frustration you were going through during your
selection process.” John Hanak, San Diego, CA.
“I have just finished
reading your book and found it fascinating. It was hard to
put down once I began reading. I hope everything is going
well for you.” Steven Brown, Mercer Island, WA.
“The purpose this letter
is firstly to thank you for writing the account of your
experiences. I have found your book to be an invaluable
resource and reference. Each time I pick it up it seems I
learn just a little bit more…Weston, the money I spent on
your book has been some of the best money spent since I
began my adventure.” Steven Walker, Manchester, NH.
“I want to thank you for
publishing your book Love Letters… From Russia. I never
thought I would consider a Russian wife. At first I was
very skeptical, but right now I know I am going to have a
Russian wife. After reading your book I feel confident of
the sincerety of Russian women to marry American me.” Mike
Mills, Rocky Mount, NC.
“The poigniant and
lovely book you wrote has greatly inspired me in my
quest…I feel after reading your book we are kindred
spirits and I would value your friendship.” John Treglown,
Benton, WI.
Ebook - Autobiography By
Weston Rogers /Love
Letters... From Russia/
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