"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman
Posted on 22 August 2008
“The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman
I think whether you are Hmong or not, everyone should give this book a try. Anne Fadiman had done her research and did a great job at writing this wonderful book. As soon as I open the first page, I was already taken by the book thus putting it down was hard for me to do. I had read this book last year out of enjoyment, and after reading this book I had a greater appreciation for my parents and all Hmong people who had struggle with life during the Vietnam War and the migrations to the United States. We as the younger generation of Hmong kids had taken life for granted and do not see all the struggles our parents had gown through just to give us the freedom we needed. Yet we do not see what they want and wish us to accomplish the “American Dream”. Many Hmong American’s children’s had started a legend; many had strayed away and become something else yet never see why we were brought to the United States and how much they had struggle to get us here.
In this book Anne did not only focus on the Lee’s but she as well focus on the rich Hmong culture and it’s differences with the American culture, their medicine, the way of life, their respect, prospective of life and not just that, but she also goes into great details about the Hmong history and migrations from China to southern Asia and then to America.
It is a must read book, and I do hope everyone gives this book a try. I believe this book will as well give you a better understanding of The Hmong people and it’s culture, it’s belief, religion and the like.
2 responses to "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman
I’d definitely read this book, thanks for posting.
i read it before when i was in middle skool. now i remember nuthin bout it. I still have that book too. Since u mention about it i guess i need to go back n reread it. Also i heard that one of my college class in the future gonna read it so yea meh gonna go back n give it a try again thanks