Bestselling author Eric Madeen has announced that his novel 'Water Drumming in the Soul' will be available at no charge in ebook format on October 18 and 19, 2025, exclusively through Amazon. The literary fiction work is based on Madeen's travels and experiences in Africa, particularly during his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon.
The novel tells the story of David Fields, an American Peace Corps volunteer who arrives in an African village to build a medical dispensary and becomes captivated by Assam, a local woman who plays a stream as a drum. The narrative explores their developing relationship against a backdrop of African culture that Madeen describes as "slathered with the pageantry of life forces and the wicked, wild and mystery dance of the Dionysian," contrasting with what he terms the "icy chimes of the Apollonian" found in northern climates.
Madeen's personal experiences in Gabon directly inform the novel's setting and authenticity. After graduating from the University of Arizona, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Francophone Gabon, where he constructed a primary school complex in an equatorial village surrounded by rainforest. During this time, he once got lost for three days while hunting monkeys and fell in love, experiences that provide what he calls "a vigorous fictional reality" to his first novel.
The book has received significant praise from readers and critics alike. Zaheer Baber, Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, noted that "Madeen's storytelling prowess shines through and resonates with authenticity. The characters, particularly Assam, are beautifully developed, challenging traditional stereotypes as in presenting a more nuanced and genuine portrayal of African culture." Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, compared the work to that of literary masters, specifically mentioning Ernest Hemingway.
Madeen is an associate professor of modern literature at Tokyo City University and an adjunct professor at Keio University. He has written several other books, including 'Tokyo-ing!', 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales From Borneo to Japan', and 'Tennis Clubbed, Snubbed and Rubbity-Dub Dubbed'. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including Time, Asia Week, and The East.
This free promotion offers readers access to a work that Amazon reviewers have described as "a rollercoaster of emotions" that "delves into thought-provoking themes like culture, identity, and the power of human connection." One reviewer noted that "this isn't your typical love story" and praised its "unexpected twists" and well-developed characters.
The free ebook promotion represents an opportunity for readers to engage with cross-cultural literature that challenges conventional portrayals of African culture. Madeen's background as both an academic and former Peace Corps volunteer provides unique credibility to his fictional exploration of cultural exchange and personal transformation. Readers interested in Madeen's other works can find them at his Amazon author page, and additional information is available at his personal website.
