The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman chronicles the life of Lia Lee, a Hmong child in Merced, California, who is diagnosed with severe epilepsy. The book explores the clash between Western medical practices and Hmong traditional beliefs, leading to Lia’s poor medical treatment, family trauma, foster care, and cultural misunderstandings impacting her care and wellbeing. The story includes discussions of medical neglect and child separation.

Anne Fadiman's The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down has received widespread acclaim for its insightful portrayal of cultural clashes within healthcare. Positive reviews highlight its meticulous research and empathetic narrative. However, some critics point out that it occasionally oversimplifies complex cultural issues. Overall, it is valued for enriching cross-cultural understanding.

Readers who are fascinated by cross-cultural conflicts, medical anthropology, and immigrant experiences will enjoy The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. Comparable to works like Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, it offers a profound exploration of cultural clashes and healthcare.

Informative / Mysterious / Emotional / Challenging / Bittersweet

- The book won the National Book Critics Circle Award for General Nonfiction in 1997, establishing Anne Fadiman as a significant voice in narrative nonfiction.
- Anne Fadiman's exploration of cross-cultural differences in The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down has made it a staple in medical and anthropology courses across the United States.
- The title of the book comes from the Hmong translation of the medical condition epilepsy, highlighting a central theme of the cultural misunderstanding depicted in the story.

**Anne Fadiman**  
The narrator and writer who explores the story of Lia Lee to understand the cultural differences between American doctors and Hmong patients.

**Lia Lee**  
A Hmong child with severe epilepsy, whose medical case highlights the cross-cultural conflict between her family and her doctors.

**Foua Yang**  
Lia's mother, a Hmong refugee dedicated to caring for Lia, preferring traditional healing practices over medical treatments.

**Nao Kao Lee**  
Lia's father, who believes her illness is due to soul loss and seeks healing through traditional Hmong ceremonies.

**Neil Ernst**  
One of Lia's primary pediatricians at MCMC, who faces communication challenges with Lia's family and later finds a personal connection with them.

**Peggy Philp**  
Neil Ernst's wife and fellow pediatrician to Lia, who struggles with communication but eventually develops a closer bond with Lia's family.

**May Ying Xiong**  
A cultural broker hired by Fadiman to assist with translation and to provide insight into Hmong customs.

**Jeanine Hilt**  
A social worker who builds a trusting relationship with the Lees and advocates for Lia's care within complex systems.

**Dee and Tom Korda**  
Lia's foster parents during her time in CPS custody, who recognize the Lees as good parents and advocate for their family reunification.

**Bill Selvidge**  
Fadiman's friend and a former chief resident at MCMC, who informs her about the cultural challenges at the medical center.

**Dan Murphy**  
A family practice resident at MCMC who recognizes Lia's epilepsy and shows interest in Hmong cultural practices.

Anne Fadiman

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The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures

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