If anyone still doubts that people on the autistic spectrum are capable of humor, empathy, and a rich emotional life, this book should put the idea to rest. While she was frequently unable to express her innner world due to fear, being immobilized by overstimulation, lack of skills that she would later learn, or personal depths she would later develop, Dawn Prince-Hughes in fact draws us in with precisely those qualities.

The author was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome in her thirties. She gives us detailed insight into what it means to be on the autistic spectrum - what it means in terms of processing information, enduring ignorance of teachers and classmates, finding a place in the world, and learning to love.

Dawn dropped out of high school after she was no longer able to suffer the abuse and humiliation. She was already drinking to quell her anxiety and frustration. She had no money,no job, and no home. She ended up homeless and later in the unlikely world of erotic dancing, where once again, she just didn't fit the mold. I could only imagine the befuddlement and disappointment of men as they watched this new dancer in body paint imitating wild animal movements and sounds!

Dawn found her spiritual home in the presence of gorillas at her local zoo. Sitting quietly for hours on end, she made connections with the primates that were unlike those she had ever achieved with people. She began to access emotions and to experience relationships of mutual understanding and reciprocal communication.

Reading her descriptions of the worlds of Congo, Nina, Pete, Zuri, Alafia, and the others, I found my views of gorillas and other primates tested and expanded. The implications of her work and observations are immense.

This is an inspiring and thought provoking book. It challenges typical descriptions of autism and it challenges typical descriptions of primates.

Read it, enjoy it, and be enlightened.


Three books   March 31, 2004
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

There are three books that you must read if you're interested in Asperger, DID, or any of the host of other syndromes affecting children (and adults). These are: FREAKS, GEEKS, AND THE ASPERGER SYNDROME, Jackson McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD, and SONGS OF THE GORILLA NATION. Of the three, "SONGS" is by far the best, it being a disturbing and ultimately uplifting story. Not to take anything away from the other two books, both of which are great reads, but "Songs" moved me to tears, literally. Don't feel that you have to know someone who's "different" to read this book--you don't. It stands on its own for what it is--a great read.


Crossing Over   March 26, 2004
 8 out of 14 found this review helpful

There's no doubt in my mind that this is an important book however odd. It has touched me deeply although there are many things in here that I don't understand. With all due respect to the author's incredible journey, she is in reality a very different kind of human being and I have trouble placing her in my experience.Of course there are things I can relate to here, but much of it reads like science fiction.I have trouble with the reality she is describing and often "how" she is describing, her use of language is quizzical and sometimes puzzling,it is also disturbing and unsettling, but that is precisely why the book is so important. It has an alien quality and that makes sense to me but it's a hard book to "like", although you respect it, if that makes any sense at all.


captivating   March 19, 2004
 26 out of 30 found this review helpful

This book is fascinating, moving and very informative for anybody who is interested in autism and in animals. Since I am both, I enjoyed it immensely. It's comparable with Temple Grandin's 'Thinking in Pictures' with whom Dawn Prince-Hughes shares many deep insights and experiences. She writes beautifully, and her experiences are worth contemplating because they are far reaching and important. Reading this book strengthened my conviction that many people with autism have insights that could benefit us all, and deserve to be listened to carefully, and with great respect. This book is a must for everybody remotely interested in autism or primates, but I should wish it to reach as many readers, especially anthropologists! as possible.