Lonely Letters, The

Lonely Letters, The

By Ashon T. Crawley

Book Description

Through intimate letters exchanged between two characters, A and Moth, this profound work explores the intersection of Black identity, queer experience, and spiritual practice within Pentecostal church traditions. Ashon T. Crawley crafts a unique blend of creative nonfiction that moves beyond conventional boundaries to examine how sacred music, embodied worship, and mystical experience create spaces for authentic existence.

The correspondence unfolds across five distinct movements: Breath, Shouting, Noise, Tongues, and Nothing. Each section delves deeper into how Pentecostal worship practices offer alternative ways of being in the world, challenging Western notions of proper human behavior and embracing vulnerability as strength. The author reveals how rhythm, improvisation, and musical expression transport participants beyond material reality into profound connection and feeling.

Crawley weaves together quantum theory and mysticism to explore deep interconnection within romantic relationships and broader community bonds. The letters examine how joy functions as a catalyst for emergence, with physical embodiment serving as the foundation for sensory and spiritual experience. Throughout, the Pentecostal church emerges as a fundamentally welcoming space built on invitation, transformation, and the lingering effects of sacred encounter.

This innovative work includes original paintings by the author, created in harmony with the stomping, clapping, and shouting of worship traditions. Readers interested in African American spirituality, queer theology, and alternative approaches to religious experience will find rich material for reflection and growth.

Who Is This For?

đź“– Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)

đź“„ Length: 280 pages

What You'll Discover

  • âś“ Explore Biography
  • âś“ Explore Church music
  • âś“ Explore African Americans
  • âś“ Explore African American Pentecostals
  • âś“ Explore SOCIAL SCIENCE / Black Studies (Global)
  • âś“ Explore African American churches
  • âś“ Explore Social aspects
  • âś“ Explore Noirs amĂ©ricains

Topics Covered

Biography Church music African Americans African American Pentecostals SOCIAL SCIENCE / Black Studies (Global) African American churches Social aspects Noirs américains African American sexual minorities Lambda Literary Awards Race identity Identité ethnique Aspect social Pentecôtistes noirs américains Églises pentecôtistes noires américaines Lambda Literary Award Winner Minorités sexuelles noires américaines LGBTQ essays Sexual minorities African American Pentecostal churches Christianity Expérience religieuse Experience (religion) Religious life African americans, race identity Loneliness Religious aspects Pentecostal churches Vie religieuse LGBTQ religion & spirituality Christian sects Biographies

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