Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Spirit Catches You And you Fall Down

The Spirit catches You And You Fall Down - Anne Fadiman

5/5 stars.

I haven't read a work of fiction in a looong time mainly due to the fact that I have been reading books about pregnancy and babies to get ready for my son coming in April. Finally I decided to get back to reading something non-baby related. I first saw this book on the shelves of the university bookstore's social work shelves. Since I am interested in social work and multiculturalism, I borrow the book from the library. I was not disappointed! The book relates the true story of a Hmong family caught between their beliefs and the expectations of the Western medical world. Lia Lee is a little girl who suffers from epilepsy. Her parents believe that these episods are caused by a spirit, which, as the title indicates, catches you and makes you fall down. For the American doctors, epilepsy is epilepsy, period, and it should be treated with medicine. Lia's family would rather use a shaman, doesn't understand English, cannot read, and therefore cannot give their daughter her proper medication. What ensues is a sort of battle between Lia's family, part of a very private, insular, and proud immigrant community, and Lia's doctors.

What I found fascinating was the misunderstandings between the parents and the doctors. Both have strong opinions about the cause and cure of the illness. Neither can convince the other one. It happens everyday between American families and their American doctors, right? Families do not want vaccines, do not think their children should be under medication, etc while the doctors are adamant that there's only one way to see a certain ailment. Imagine this struggle with people who don't understand each other's language and culture. The author, who is a journalist, does a remarkable job of interviewing all parties to the story. The book tries not to take sides. It is as neutral an account as possible, and it gives the book depth and meaning. I loved reading about the Hmong history and culture and I also loved reading about the way the doctors and social workers understood Lia's case.


I recommend this book to anyone interested in medical anthropology, social work, or immigration.


And for those who might think I only give great reviews, I just read Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and, though I won't write a review, only give it 2.5 to 3 stars.