Recent book I'm reading

[zestfive]

I saw this book on the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Songs of the Gorilla Nation : My Journey Through Autism by Dawn Prince-Hughes.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400050588/102-3558032-8546546?v=glance

I'm really enjoying it. I got it at my public library and I'm on the list for her next book.

Comments

[ignusfaatus.livejournal.com]

Oh my, another book comparing autistics to animals. I must admit when I first saw Temple Grandin comparing herself to a cow my heart was truley hurt. But maybe that reaction comes from a place of fear. Perhaps I have to tackle societal misconception that somehow creatures of language are superior than those without language. As the etymology of words changes our understanding of the world , I am sure that just having a vocalized language at all changes our entire neurology. But to compare autistics to gorillas, I dunno. I mean, I always thought gorillas would be an antithesis of the autistic. For instance, Gorillas can be taught sign language. An autistic will have a hard time learning sign language as they will often not even look at anothers hands. Also, Gorillas can read expression and even have signs for feelings right? I should probably read this book since it is an interest. I am almost afraid to though.

[zestfive.livejournal.com]

I didn't see it as someone comparing themselves to animals, when I read it, I see her using the gorillas as a conduit to open herself up to people based on the relationship she develops with the gorillas. She speaks of the gorillas as having some amazing nuance-filled and subtle interaction that humans miss because her experiences of humans have been overwhelming with noise, light and etc. Coming from an anthropology background, I don't put cultures, groups (people or animals) in a hierarchy, they're just different.

[ignusfaatus.livejournal.com]

in that case this book sounds really cool. I cant wait to read it.

[zestfive.livejournal.com]

Yeah, just finished it tonight. I'm looking forward to reading her next book!