Eric Madeen's bestselling literary novel 'Water Drumming In The Soul' will be available at no charge in ebook format from January 31 through February 1 at Amazon. The novel, based on Madeen's experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, represents a deliberate departure from what the author describes as the prevailing AI zeitgeist, offering instead a return to Romanticism through its exploration of human connection and cultural authenticity.
The story follows Peace Corps volunteer David Fields, who becomes captivated by an African woman water drumming in a stream upon arriving at his assigned village. Their developing relationship forms the core of what reviewers have described as a rollicking and vibrant love story that challenges stereotypes about African culture. Madeen, a former Peace Corps volunteer who constructed a primary school complex in Gabon, draws from his own experiences to create what Professor Zaheer Baber of the University of Toronto called "a more nuanced and genuine portrayal of African culture."
Academic and critical reception has highlighted the novel's literary significance. The work has been compared to masters like Hemingway by Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, while reviewers note its complex, multi-interpretive ending aligns with Vladimir Nabokov's assertion that the finest art is "deceitful and complex" rather than simple. This complexity, combined with its authentic cultural representation, makes the temporary free availability significant for readers seeking substantive literary fiction.
The promotion provides access to a work that Madeen's website at https://ericmadeen.com describes as part of his cross-genre literary output, which includes other acclaimed works like 'Tokyo-ing!' and 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales From Borneo to Japan.' For the publishing industry, such promotions represent an increasingly common strategy for introducing literary fiction to broader audiences, particularly works that offer cultural perspectives often underrepresented in mainstream publishing.
Readers have praised the novel's emotional depth and cultural authenticity, with one Amazon reviewer noting it "delves into thought-provoking themes like culture, identity, and the power of human connection." The temporary free availability during the January 31-February 1 window offers an opportunity for readers to engage with a work that Madeen positions as a conscious step back from artificiality toward more fundamental human experiences and connections.
