Eric Madeen's bestselling literary fiction novel 'Water Drumming In The Soul' will be available at no charge in ebook format from January 31 through February 1 exclusively at Amazon. This limited-time offer provides readers access to a work that represents a deliberate departure from artificial intelligence-focused contemporary literature, instead embracing Romanticism through a love story set in equatorial Africa.
The novel follows Peace Corps volunteer David Fields, who becomes captivated by an African woman water drumming—playing a stream as a drum while singing—upon his arrival in a village. Their ensuing relationship forms the core of what reviewers describe as a rollicking and vibrant love story that challenges traditional stereotypes of African culture. Madeen, a former Peace Corps volunteer who built a primary school complex in Francophone Gabon, draws from his personal experiences to create what Professor Zaheer Baber of the University of Toronto calls "a more nuanced and genuine portrayal of African culture."
This promotion comes at a time when discussions about artificial intelligence's prevalence in culture have intensified. The novel serves as what Madeen describes as "a crucial step back to Romanticism" in contrast to what the late Fredric Jameson characterized in his seminal work 'Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism' as full postmodernism occurring when "the artificial becomes so prevalent that there's nothing natural to compare it to." This context makes the novel's availability particularly relevant for readers seeking literature focused on authentic human experience.
Reviewers have praised the novel's emotional depth and literary quality. Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, compared it to works by masters like Hemingway, while Amazon reviewers note its exploration of "culture, identity, and the power of human connection." The novel's ending has been described as heart-wrenching with multiple interpretations, reflecting what Vladimir Nabokov noted about fine art being "deceitful and complex" rather than simple.
The free promotion represents an opportunity for broader access to literary fiction that crosses cultural boundaries. Readers can download the ebook during the promotional period at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Eric-Madeen/author/B08VGRNJVW?. Madeen's other works include 'Tokyo-ing!', 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales From Borneo to Japan', and 'Tennis Clubbed, Snubbed and Rubbity-Dub Dubbed', all available through his author page.
This limited free offering matters because it increases accessibility to literary fiction that provides cultural authenticity and emotional depth at a time when artificial intelligence dominates cultural discussions. The novel's setting in Africa, written by an author with firsthand Peace Corps experience, offers readers perspectives often absent from mainstream literature while demonstrating the commercial viability of culturally nuanced storytelling in today's publishing landscape.
