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

The book alternates between telling Lia’s story (odd numbered chapters) and narrating the political and cultural history of the Hmong (even numbered chapters). Why does Fadiman structure her book in this way, and what does it add to our understanding of Lia’s case?

What is the overall tone of the book? To what extent does the tone change in the afterword, written 15 years after the original publication of the book?

How accommodating are the doctors to the cultural beliefs of the Lees? Do you think they are right to treat the illness first, even if it means going against the wishes of the Lees?

What are some key differences between txiv neebs and American doctors? What can a doctor learn from a txiv neeb and what can a txiv neeb learn from a doctor?

To what extent would the outcome of Lia’s case be different if Hmong interpreters were always available during her hospital visits?

Why is it difficult for medical professionals to communicate effectively with their patients? What are some of Fadiman’s recommendations for improving cross-cultural communication in hospital settings?

Describe the living conditions of the Lees in Laos and in the United States. What is similar and what is different?

The Hmong have endured many persecutions and hardships over the centuries, first in China, then in Laos, Thailand, and more recently the United States. How have these experiences shaped their ethnic identity?