Award-winning author Eric Madeen will release his bestselling novel 'Water Drumming in the Soul: A Novel of Racy Love in the Heart of Africa' as a free eBook on Amazon on June 4, 2025, providing readers an opportunity to explore a vibrant narrative rooted in authentic African cultural experiences.
The novel follows David Fields, a Peace Corps volunteer working to build a medical dispensary in a remote African village, where he encounters Assam, a captivating woman whose water drumming performance becomes a metaphorical and literal turning point in the story. Drawing from Madeen's own Peace Corps experience in Gabon, the novel offers a nuanced portrayal of cross-cultural interactions and passionate romance.
Literary experts and reviewers have praised the work for its authenticity and depth. Zaheer Baber, Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto, commended Madeen's storytelling, noting the novel's ability to challenge traditional stereotypes and present a genuine representation of African culture. Elizabeth Montano, author of The Eternal Dawn Trilogy, compared the novel's quality to works by literary masters like Hemingway.
Madeen's personal background as a Peace Corps volunteer in Francophone Gabon significantly influences the novel's narrative. Having constructed a primary school complex in an equatorial village surrounded by rainforest, the author brings a unique perspective to the story, infusing it with lived experiences and cultural insights.
The novel represents more than a simple love story; it explores complex themes of cultural identity, human connection, and personal transformation. Readers can expect a narrative that is simultaneously passionate, thought-provoking, and rich with unexpected twists.
By making the eBook available for free, Madeen provides wider access to a work that promises to transport readers to the heart of equatorial Africa, offering an immersive experience of love, cultural exploration, and personal discovery.
