The bestselling literary fiction ebook 'Water Drumming In The Soul' by author Eric Madeen will be available at no charge January 31 through February 1 exclusively at Amazon. This limited-time offer provides readers with access to a novel that represents a significant departure from contemporary artificial intelligence-focused narratives, instead returning to romantic literary traditions with its portrayal of human connection and cultural exploration.
Madeen, a former Peace Corps volunteer and senior associate professor of literature, creates what reviewers describe as a crucial step back to Romanticism in an era increasingly dominated by artificial constructs. The novel follows Peace Corps volunteer David Fields as he enters an equatorial African village and becomes captivated by an African woman water drumming in a stream. Their developing relationship forms the core of what readers have called a rollicking and vibrant love story that challenges cultural stereotypes while exploring themes of identity and human connection.
The novel's importance extends beyond its narrative to its cultural positioning. According to the late Fredric Jameson's seminal work 'Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism,' full postmodernism occurs when the artificial becomes so prevalent that there's nothing natural to compare it to. Madeen's work consciously positions itself against this trend, offering what Professor Zaheer Baber of the University of Toronto describes as "a more nuanced and genuine portrayal of African culture" with beautifully developed characters that challenge traditional stereotypes.
Reviewers have drawn comparisons between Madeen's work and that of literary masters. Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, stated the novel is "on par with works by whom we consider masters … Hemingway definitely comes to mind." The novel's complex ending, which offers multiple interpretations, reflects Vladimir Nabokov's observation that the finest art is not simple and sincere but rather deceitful and complex.
The free availability of 'Water Drumming In The Soul' during this limited period provides broader access to a work that has been praised for its authentic portrayal of cross-cultural experience. Madeen's background as a Peace Corps volunteer in Francophone Gabon, where he constructed a primary school complex in an equatorial village, informs the novel's setting and cultural insights. Readers have noted that the novel "delves into thought-provoking themes like culture, identity, and the power of human connection" while delivering "a rollercoaster of emotions."
This promotional period represents an opportunity for readers to engage with a work that author Eric Madeen describes as taking "a much-needed step back from the AI zeitgeist." The novel's availability at Amazon without cost for two days allows for increased accessibility to literary fiction that emphasizes human experience over technological advancement. The novel joins Madeen's other cross-genre works, including 'Tokyo-ing!' and 'Asian Trail Mix: True Tales From Borneo to Japan,' in offering readers immersive cultural experiences through literary exploration.
The limited free availability of 'Water Drumming In The Soul' comes at a time when discussions about artificial intelligence's role in culture and creativity are increasingly prominent. By offering this human-centered narrative without cost, the promotion makes accessible a work that reviewers say "resonates with authenticity" while providing what one Amazon reviewer called "a wild and adventurous ride" through its exploration of love, culture, and human connection in an African setting.
