The book "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman explores the cultural clash between a Hmong family and the American medical system. It tells the story of a young Hmong girl, Lia Lee, who suffers from epilepsy, a condition that is viewed very differently in her culture compared to Western medicine. The narrative highlights the struggles of Lia's family to navigate a healthcare system that often fails to understand their cultural background and beliefs.

Fadiman vividly describes the family's living conditions, emphasizing the simple yet clean home constructed by Lia's father using traditional materials. The house, made from ax-hewn planks and thatched with bamboo and grass, reflects the family's deep roots in their cultural heritage. Foua, Lia's mother, keeps the dirt floor tidy, which signifies the importance of cleanliness and respect for one's home within their traditions. This backdrop sets the stage for the complex interplay of two very different worldviews regarding health and illness.