Author Eric Madeen is offering his bestselling literary fiction novel, 'Water Drumming In The Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa,' as a free ebook on Amazon from August 31 through September 2, 2026. The promotion, available at his Amazon author page, provides readers with an opportunity to experience a story that has drawn praise for its authentic portrayal of Africa and its gripping narrative.
The novel is inspired by Madeen's own adventures as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon, Africa. In the story, protagonist David Fields, a Peace Corps volunteer, is tasked with building a medical dispensary in a village where witchcraft and cultural taboos are prevalent. He struggles with tropical diseases and social barriers until he meets Assam, a woman whose water drumming captivates him. Their ensuing love affair is described as a "rollicking game of love" with tension that never dissipates until the haunting end.
Madeen's background mirrors his protagonist's journey. After graduating from the University of Arizona, he served 2.3 years in the Peace Corps in Francophone Gabon, helping to build a primary school complex in a rainforest village. His experiences, including getting lost for three days while hunting monkeys and falling in love, provided the vivid, lived-in reality that infuses his novel.
Critics and readers have lauded the book. One Amazon reviewer praised it as a "modern-day classic" that explores themes of culture, identity, and human connection, calling it "a rollercoaster of emotions" with well-developed characters. Zaheer Baber, Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, highlighted Madeen's storytelling prowess and the nuanced portrayal of African culture, particularly through the character of Assam. Author Elizabeth Montano compared Madeen's writing to masters like Hemingway, saying the novel is "so beautifully and realistically written."
The free ebook promotion is significant not only because it offers access to an acclaimed work but also because it highlights the broader themes of cross-cultural understanding and the power of personal transformation. Madeen's novel is part of a larger body of work that includes 'Tokyo-ing!', a series of tales about Tokyo, and 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales From Borneo to Japan', a travelogue praised for its vivid prose. His third novel, 'Tennis Clubbed, Snubbed and Rubbity-Dub Dubbed', is set in Yokohama and deals with themes of xenophobia.
Madeen, a recently retired associate professor of modern literature at Tokyo City University and adjunct professor at Keio University, has published widely in outlets such as Time, Asia Week, and The Daily Yomiuri. His writing has been recognized with awards, and his first novel was placed in the Permanent Collection of Books by Peace Corps Writers in the Library of Congress.
This free ebook offer provides an opportunity for readers to engage with a story that bridges cultures and challenges stereotypes, reflecting Madeen's commitment to authentic storytelling. The promotion runs for three days, making it a limited-time opportunity for readers to explore this acclaimed work.
