The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down (by Anne Fadiman)

"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman explores the cultural clash between the Hmong immigrant community and the American healthcare system. The book tells the story of Lia Lee, a Hmong child with epilepsy, and highlights the misunderstandings between her family’s beliefs about illness—rooted in spiritual and traditional practices—and the medical approaches of her doctors. Through Lia's struggles and the challenges faced by her family, Fadiman illustrates broader themes of cultural differences, communication barriers, and the importance of empathy in healthcare, ultimately advocating for the integration of diverse cultural perspectives in medicine.