Customer Reviews

Anything Can Happen

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the story of a man who loved America from the moment he set foot on our shores. He said, and never changed his mind that, in America, "Anything Can Happen." There are many vignettes in his book, telling of his adventures and misadventures in America, but he never changed his opinion that he loved America, even though he sought the companionship of other Georgians. This book was made into a movie which fell far short of the book, which dealt with his honesty, integrity, and love for all pertaining to America and his fellow men. This book is heart-warming, poignant, and often brings a tear to the eye; in other parts it brings a chuckle or a laugh or a general thumbs-up. I have read the book a number of times not only to myself, but aloud to my family, especially when traveling. Exceptionally enjoyable were vignettes about Dzea Vanno, the wager about fitting a Nash wheel on their vehicle, Luba--who had the disposition of a camel, and at a party, his saying, regarding food, that "...only too much was ever enough", plus being outside and listening to "...people being happy and enjoying themselves in his home" (paraphrased). I heartily recommend this book to anyone!

I love this book and have read it many times. When I have a friend who needs cheering up, I loan them my copy. It is usually passed around to their family & friends before I get it back. If ever one is in need of hope, this story provides a beautiful example of people helping, loving, laughing and eating together. It is the quintessential story of immigration to America with its deprivation, hard work and eventual success. With the help of Georg's wife, it is told with the indiosyncratic syntax of a non-native speaker of English which makes you feel the author is telling his adventures to you directly. Papashvily was an amazing person and one of the few authors that I would love to have spent an evening with listening to his stories. This makes a great gift of joy to anyone you know.

This collection of humorous short stories describes America as seen through the eyes of an immigrant from the country of Georgia who first stepped foot in the USA in the early 1920s.

First published in 1945, it was co-written by Mr. Papashvily and his wife Helen in the author's original style of "Georgian" English. The author was, according to Wikipedia, a famous writer and sculptor who was listed in Who's Who in the categories of both writing and art. Chapters in this book deal with topics such as getting a job (the author was trained in Georgia as a swordmaker and a decorative leatherworker), joining a labor strike, going to court for a crime he didn't commit, helping a friend work his way through depression (the cure: Uncle John's garlic sauce, freshly grilled shish kebobs, and a fight with a trio of Italian/American farmers who thought the Georgians' picnic fire on the beach was set by bootleggers to attract their boats, but later contributed their own homemade wine when invited to join the party), marriage (Uncle John, a restaurateur, catered the wedding feast and it sounds delicious!), and trying to find someone--anyone--who could speak the author's little-known native language (eventually he succeeded).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who remembers America as it was sixty-plus years ago, and/or who is ready for some thought-provoking humor.

Many years ago I read this book and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, that book was lost when we had to move, so I was very glad to get this copy. It is told as if you were listening to George Papashvily actually speaking. The English is broken and the text is interspersed with phrases of his native Georgian which, by the way, he translates. This book tells the story of what happened to him from the time he landed in New york and covers the years that followed. It is a very warm and well-told story, one I feel deserves reading over and over. I highly recommend this story, because it happens to be true.

I've recently reread all three books written by George and (lightly edited by)Helen Papashvily. "Anything Can Happen" is about George's coming to the U. S. from Georgia in the Caucasus, a good one to begin with. "Thanks to Noah" tells his experiences with animals such as a pet bear while he was growing up. "Yes and No Stories" are Georgian folk tales with a delightful account of his initiation as a contributor to community life around the evening campfire long, long ago.

I bought this book relying on above reviews and the fact that the author is Georgian. I myself am Georgian. Finally got the book, put aside the book I was in a middle of reading "Franny and Zooey" by Salinger.
I read the book, not really funny, narrative is too plain, not to say dull.
Back to Salinger, real gem.
Suggestion for those who wants to get familiar with the Georgian literature: Nodar Dumbadze was a Georgian writer and one of the most popular authors in the late 20th-century Georgia. I personally like the most his novel "Me, Grandma, Iliko and Ilarioni" full of lyricism and humor.

Wonderful, easy read for anyone interested in the immigrant experience in America in the 1920's & 30's. Written by George's wife, Helen as told to her in the same broken English, the stories convey the character of the people, their wit, their tenacity, & their love of food! If you have Eastern European roots, or know anyone who does, this book will remind you of them. If you don't, you will enjoy learning about them.

This is a great, hysterically funny, touching, book that was made into an equally great, hysterically funny, touching movie starring Kurt Kaznar. Does a print of the movie exist? A video or DVD?

This book about poor emigrant from Russia, who came to America from Russian Georgia. He came here with no money but with big dream...
Years after his wife helped him write this book which was written with Georgian humor. Book is fun to read.