Microaggressions are truly appalling.

I vividly remember being recommended this particular book due to a certain case. However, upon reading it, I had an extremely unpleasant feeling.

I had a conversation with a Hmong acquaintance, and through that, I came to realize that the content in this book was highly exaggerated and failed to communicate effectively.

It gave off a very "white savior" vibe, which was quite off-putting.

The book was not well-written at all. It is truly a shame that despite not being respected by the Hmong people themselves, it is still being utilized by others as a means to learn about their culture.

This whole situation is truly disgusting and highlights the importance of accurate and respectful representation when it comes to different cultures.

We need to do better to ensure that the information we consume and share is not only factual but also sensitive to the experiences and perspectives of the people whose cultures we are trying to understand.

So close and yet so far.

Fadiman constructs an epistemological encounter between US doctors and Hmong culture. The life of a young woman is at stake.

The book is skillfully written and thoroughly researched, and Fadiman's intentions seem noble.

However, the book ultimately fails. Despite her best efforts, Fadiman cannot shed her biases. This would be a lesser issue if she did not strive to appear "objective."

A smattering of theory and a modicum of world history might have sufficed to transform Fadiman's book from a merely good one to a significant contribution to our comprehension of others.

I recommend this book as an illustration of how near one can approach understanding and yet fall short.

This book was truly intense and fascinating, filled with an abundance of details!

As I delved into it, I not only loved learning about the Hmong community but also felt a profound sense of frustration with the situation that was presented within its pages.

It serves as a great reflection of the collision between two cultural perspectives. There is a great need for analysis and understanding of where the other person is coming from in order to reach a middle ground.

I can clearly see why this book has become a required reading for numerous universities and specialized programs.

I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to read this book in a book club, as it allows me to share my thoughts and not keep them all to myself.

It has opened up a whole new world of discussions and insights, and I look forward to further exploring the themes and ideas presented in this remarkable book.

I never would have chosen this book to read on my own. So I must thank Eliza for lending it to me. (I now feel like lending/recommending a book proves friendship...)

I had no prior knowledge about Hmong culture, but now I do. This book not only educated me about the Hmong people but also about the American medical system. When you look at it from a distance, it seems rather strange.

This would have been a great book for me to read when I was in Japan as well. It opened my eyes to the fact that people from other cultures can be extremely different. It's not about stupidity or lack of common sense. It's simply the reality that there are numerous diverse cultures in this world, and growing up in any one of them makes a person's perspective and way of life completely different from those in other societies.

Is there a way to completely bridge those gaps? I don't think so. However, there is probably a way to improve cross-cultural relations, especially in a place like the US. This book raises these questions and, although it doesn't provide solutions, it does offer ideas that can expand your mind and make you more aware of these issues. It also presents facts about how things have been dealt with (poorly) and the problems that arise as a result. The case study that Fadiman explores is a perfect example that can be applied to other situations.

Moreover, the story itself is truly interesting. Fadiman tells the story with great skill, but you can tell that she is a journalist, for better or worse.

This book was really enjoyable. It made a deep impression on me, taught me a great deal, and made me think a lot about the cultural issues it presented. I'm glad I read it, and I hope to keep these lessons in mind when I encounter people from other cultures and have difficulties understanding or accepting them. Because, although I may pretend to be open and accepting, in reality, I'm not always.

I don't know what to name this thing. Is it a cautionary medical folktale?

Or perhaps a cross-cultural thriller? Maybe it's an unfailingly even-handed but riveting showdown between Western and tribal/herbal/shamanistic medicine?

No, none of those descriptions are accurate. In fact, it's an ethical conundrum.

It's a parable with no winners, no satisfactory answers, a few good guys, and the only villain being misunderstanding and an absolute failure to communicate.

This experience has completely changed my perspective on any kind of medicine.

I'll never look at it in the same way again.

It's truly brilliant.

This is a very good holistic read that delves into anthropology, western allopathic medicine, and Hmong culture.

It offers a thoughtful and insightful perspective on these diverse topics.

I am truly glad that I was given the opportunity to read this book.

Cross-cultural humility is an essential function in any field, but it is especially crucial in those where human lives are at stake.

In the context of anthropology, understanding different cultures and their unique beliefs and practices is fundamental.

Western allopathic medicine, on the other hand, has its own set of principles and methods.

The intersection of these two with Hmong culture provides a rich and complex area of study.

By reading this book, one can gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of cross-cultural understanding and respect.

It also highlights the need for healthcare providers and professionals in all fields to approach their work with humility and an open mind.

This book serves as a valuable reminder that our actions and decisions can have a significant impact on the lives of others, and that we must always strive to do better.

Published in 1997, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures is an outstanding masterpiece. Even more than 20 years after its publication, it remains highly significant. It offers profound commentary on cultural differences, the social construction of illness, and most importantly, empathy.

Lia Lee was born in July 1982 at California's Merced Community Medical Center (MCMC) to her mother Foua and father Nao Kao. At just 3 months old, Lia had her first seizure, with symptoms recognized as quag dab peg, which literally means "the spirit catches you and you fall down" in the Hmong culture. In Western medicine, this is known as epilepsy. The Hmong treatment for quag dab peg involved shamanism and animal sacrifices to retrieve a lost soul. Meanwhile, American doctors treated epilepsy with a combination of anticonvulsant medications, antibiotics, and sedatives. The question of who was right loomed large.

After suffering from septicemia and a grand mal seizure, Lia entered a vegetative state at the age of 4. Foua and Nao Kao were often noncompliant with the medication, which led to Lia's continued suffering. What if they had given her the medication properly from the start? But what if the doctors hadn't prescribed a medication that weakened Lia's immune system? Maybe she would never have developed septicemia, gone into shock, and had a seizure. The doctors thought Lia's death was near, but in fact, she lived to be 30 years old, outliving her mother Fuoa and her siblings. To the very end, her family treated her with unwavering love and care. Again, the question of who was right persisted.

In this incredibly open-minded work of nonfiction, Anne Fadiman examines both perspectives - that of Lia's family and the Hmong community on one side, and the Merced doctors and nurses on the other. The cultural barriers seemed insurmountable and frustrating. It was disheartening to see so few people who could act as cultural brokers, whether American or Hmong. However, from every corner, there were truly kind-hearted individuals who did everything they could to save Lia, each a hero in their own way. The "what ifs" are countless, but this book teaches us a valuable lesson: although cultural barriers may seem like a huge obstacle to overcome, they are never insurmountable.

This book is a must-read, especially if, like me, you know little about the Hmong. Through ignorance, people often mistook the Hmong living in American communities for being Vietnamese or even wrongly associated them with the Vietcong. In reality, an army of Hmong guerrilla fighters was recruited, trained, and armed by the CIA in the 1960s to fight against communist forces in Laos. Fadiman delves deep into the history of the Hmong people, although not comprehensively. The Hmong are much more than any narrow or racist assumptions - they have a rich heritage of folklore, tradition, stories, and identity.

Although this book is nonfiction, every page is filled with emotions that are both harrowing and uplifting. While you may want to assign blame for the tragic errors that occurred, there is ultimately no villain. It is difficult to accept that no one was right, but it is all too easy to fall into a trap of uneasiness and ignorance when faced with the Other, and write them off as enemies. There are no easy questions or answers in this book, but there is an abundance of strength, love, anger, frustration, and empathy. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down is emotional, challenging, complex, and informative. To me, these qualities make it one of the most important and powerful books. I will never forget Lia's story, and I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to discover it in their own time.

Everyone,

especially those individuals engaged in helping professions,

ought to read this book.

This book holds great significance and value for them.

It offers a wealth of insights, practical advice, and profound knowledge that can enhance their understanding and effectiveness in their respective fields.

By reading this book, they can gain a deeper perspective on the challenges and opportunities they encounter,

and learn how to better assist those in need.

Moreover, the book may inspire them to think differently,

explore new approaches, and continuously improve their skills and abilities.

Whether it is in the fields of healthcare, social work, education, or any other helping profession,

this book has the potential to make a positive impact and contribute to their professional growth and development.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that everyone, particularly those in helping professions, take the time to read this book and discover its many benefits.

This captivating book essentially consists of two stories.

The first is the story of Lia Lee and her family. Lia started having seizures at just 3 months old, but due to multiple factors, she was misdiagnosed. The language barrier was, of course, a problem, but the most significant barrier seemed to be cultural. Lia is the first child born in America to Hmong refugees. In their culture, epileptic seizures are regarded as more of a mixed blessing because the Hmong believe that the condition预示着 spiritual giftedness. Those who experience seizures often go on to become Shamans.

The second story is a brief history and culture of the Hmong people. The book examines the contrast between Western medical practice and the traditions of the Hmong. Fadiman doesn't place blame on Lia's parents for not giving her anti-seizure meds or on the doctors for not having enough patience to understand the Lee's cultural beliefs. Her point seems to be that Lia's ultimate decline into a vegetative state was a result of both sides being unable to collaborate.

The book has received the National Book Critics Circle Award and has actually been incorporated into the curricula of medical schools like Yale, as well as university classes in social work, anthropology, journalism, and other fields. - Sara Z.

An interesting story that vividly highlights the numerous cultural differences between Americans and immigrants, specifically in the case of the Hmong culture. Lia Lee, a Hmong child, suffers from severe epilepsy. The American doctors attempting to treat her find themselves in conflict with her parents, who are also striving to address her condition. Fadiman delicately walks a fine line in presenting the story fairly from both perspectives. However, as an American, it is challenging not to experience some degree of anger towards this girl's family.

I discovered some hidden prejudices within myself. There is the contrast between faith healing and medicine, and the question of a family's right to choose between them, especially for a minor child. To a lesser extent, there is a prejudice towards immigrants who rely on our healthcare and tax dollars without contributing to the national coffers. I was particularly discomforted by this last point because while I respect people's right to seek a better life, it seems I expect them to do so legally and not take advantage of our hospitality for an extended period.

Although it's not one of my favorite books, it is indeed interesting as it forces us to confront our own biases and consider the complex issues that arise when different cultures and belief systems collide.

I may sound naive, but I must admit that I was truly shocked by the ignorant way in which a group of educated doctors treated a bunch of Asian immigrants in this country. It is simply incredible.

I am extremely glad to see that someone has taken the time to document this. This documentation serves as a very much needed corrective, not only for this particular group of Laotian immigrants, but also on behalf of all of us who are misunderstood by the establishment and even by members of our own 'In' groups.

It is essential that we shine a light on such instances of ignorance and discrimination. By doing so, we can hope to bring about change and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or ethnicity, are treated with respect and dignity.

We must not allow such behavior to go unnoticed or unchallenged. Instead, we should work together to educate others and promote understanding and acceptance. Only then can we truly build a more inclusive and equitable society.

Anne Fadiman’s 1997 book on (mis)communication and the cultural clash has become a classic.

What makes it so enduring is her empathetic portrayal of both sides. She showcases the dedication of Lia Lee’s doctors and the love, suffering, and motives of her parents.

We can all identify with both parties. This book uses a specific story to offer readers a chance to learn about humanity and culture in general.

Fadiman writes well, and the first part is engaging. However, the later discussions on the Hmong’s social situation in America were less captivating for me, as they were already outdated.

It seems that her love for Hmong culture made her protective, perhaps leading to a bias against Christians evangelizing the Hmong. She argues that Westerners should understand and value the Hmong way, including animism and shamanism, without considering the fear and burden of living in fear of evil spirits.

Currently, there are large Christian Hmong communities in Asia, and it would be presumptuous to suggest they are “less Hmong.” Overall, it’s a thought-provoking and human work of narrative nonfiction that I could see using in my kids’ curriculum when they’re older.