The bestselling literary fiction ebook 'Water Drumming In The Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa' by author Eric Madeen will be available at no charge from February 20 through February 22, 2026. The promotion provides readers with free access to a work that has garnered significant critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of African culture and complex human relationships.
Inspired by Madeen's own experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Francophone Gabon, where he constructed a primary school complex in an equatorial village, the novel follows protagonist David Fields. As a Peace Corps volunteer tasked with building a medical dispensary in a village dominated by fear of a witch doctor, Fields navigates cultural disorientation, tropical illnesses, and social taboos. The narrative takes a transformative turn when he meets Assam, a woman whose water drumming—playing a stream as a drum—captivates him, leading to a passionate love story with tension that persists until the haunting conclusion.
The novel's importance lies in its nuanced representation of African culture, which challenges traditional stereotypes. Zaheer Baber, Professor of Sociology at 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.' This authentic representation matters because it offers Western readers a more complex understanding of African societies beyond simplistic tropes.
Reader reviews have emphasized the novel's emotional depth and literary quality. One Amazon reviewer described it as 'a rollercoaster of emotions that'll have you laughing, crying, and everything in between,' while noting that 'this isn't your typical love story.' Author Elizabeth Montano, writer of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, compared Madeen's work to literary masters, stating it was 'so beautifully and realistically written I found it on par with works by whom we consider masters … Hemingway definitely comes to mind.'
The free availability of this work from February 20-22 at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Eric-Madeen/author/B08VGRNJVW? represents an opportunity for broader access to culturally significant literature. For the publishing industry, such promotions demonstrate how digital distribution can expand readership for literary fiction that might otherwise reach limited audiences. The novel's inclusion in the permanent collection of Peace Corps writers' works at the Library of Congress underscores its cultural and historical value.
Madeen's background as an associate professor of modern literature at Tokyo City University and adjunct professor at Keio University informs the novel's literary quality, while his Peace Corps experience in Gabon provides the authentic foundation for the story. Readers interested in learning more about the author can visit https://ericmadeen.com. The temporary free access period allows readers who might not typically encounter literary fiction with African settings to experience a work that combines passionate storytelling with cultural authenticity, potentially broadening understanding of cross-cultural relationships and challenging preconceived notions about African societies.
