Prince-Hughes, Dawn

In this elegant and thought-provoking memoir, the author traces her personal growth from undiagnosed autism, to the moment, as a young woman, when she entered a zoo and became immediately fascinated with the gorillas. By observing them and later working with them, Price-Hughes was finally able to connect to living beings in a way she had never previously experienced. More than a story of autism, Songs of the Gorilla Nation is a poignant, beautifully written exploration of the rich landscape of human emotions and the ways we learn to love.

The author discusses her experiences living with autism, a condition she was not diagnosed with until she was thirty-six, and shares the story of how she was able to make sense of her life and feelings through her work with gorillas.

Twelve individuals with autism describe their experiences as college students, reflecting upon their social and sensory difficulties as well as their love of learning.