55 pages • 1 hour read
Anne FadimanThe Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down?
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.