TWAIN

A beautiful, impressive and entertaining love story with a special and wonderful twist! Life may be a bumpy road sometimes, but all is well that ends well.

Click here for the English version:

THE AUTHOR

James Herald is a Dutch writer. "Twain" is his first (British) English novel. Look below for a sneak preview of the first chapter and two professional reviews.

Click here for the Dutch translation:

The narrative

Thomas, a 50-year-old bachelor, accidentally comes across a speaking toy bear in an abandoned old-fashioned toy store. After a thorough introduction, he decides to take the bear home and calls him "Cotton." Hereafter, in a humorous, witty and ironic fashion, extensive conversations unfold between them about all kinds of subjects, ranging from everyday affairs to deep philosophical issues.

When Thomas falls in love with Hanna, a much younger woman, Cotton navigates him through the process, helping him out to deal with his emotions. Thomas manages to get into a loving relationship with her and to marry her against all odds.

People may start all over again with their lives in freedom and independency. For Thomas, it entails that his fiftieth birthday gives the go-ahead for a new beginning with the woman he loves. It is a rebirth experience in the name of faith, hope and love.

And the greatest of all is LOVE!

Interview with James Herald

Please tell the reader a bit about yourself.

I am Dutch and was born in 1950 in Djakarta, the Dutch Indies at the time. After the war my father worked there as a schoolteacher. Our family went back to Holland in 1951. I publish in English under the pseudonym James Herald. In the Netherlands I have published poetry, essays, magazine articles, and a theological book. I am also a singer, songwriter and composer. However, I have never been able to make a career out of these activities. 'Twain' is my first full-length English novel.

Why did you choose 'Twain' as a title?

I wanted a title that was concise and striking — something that would stay in people’s minds and make them curious. Twain fulfils that purpose well, as it reflects a theme that runs through the entire narrative on several levels. There are multiple “twain moments” in the story. The expression “Never the twain shall meet” applies to the original lives of the two main characters. Yet their marriage proves that one should never stop hoping for the best.

There is also a small personal connection. At my high school exam, I once wrote an essay about a remark by Mark Twain: “Man is the only animal that blushes – or needs to.” The essay received the highest mark possible. To my knowledge, that had never happened before or after. Perhaps that was the moment when the writer in me first awoke. That high "10+ Mark" made a difference. The title 'Twain' is therefore also a small tribute as a referral to a great man.

How did you start writing this story?’

In 1998, shortly before Christmas, I noticed a toy bear in a hardware shop lying rather awkwardly among tools, hammers and nails. He looked at me with eyes that seemed to say, 'Please take me home with you.' I felt sorry for him and bought him. He has been in my household ever since. I decided to write a short Christmas carol and gave the bear a role in it. That carol eventually became the first chapter of the book.

After finishing the story in Dutch, I put it aside until, in 2020, I asked myself, 'How would it sound in English? Would it add any value to the story?' Basically, the English translation evolved into a restructuring of the narrative with additional chapters. It took me over five years to get it right. Writing to me is 1% inspiration and 99% transpiration.

Could you give us a summary of “Twain”?

The protagonist, Thomas, is a 50-year-old bachelor who lost his job and has not many prospects left. And Hannah, half his age, is working as a cashier in a local convenience store. But the fact that they both are traumatised, each in their own way, works as a catalyst between them so that they get together in the end against all odds.

The bear plays a pivotal role in it, working a miracle. In spite of a dramatic undertone, it is basically a happy story, ending well but with a hitch. Their life is a bumpy road altogether. Although the bear adds a fictional element, the story is very realistic, allowing the reader to identify with it. There is a humorous ingredient that makes it palatable.

Could you describe the change Thomas is going through?

His transformation unfolds in stages. Due to his conservative upbringing, he is wrapped in an emotional cocoon. The warmth of the hug from the bear empowers him to break it open from the inside out. This is followed by a few months of processing time, during which his spiritual wings develop like a butterfly. Then Hannah enters his life. From then on, he is growing into a relationship with a person outside his world.

The bear becomes his life coach and personal advisor. He helps him build a bridge over troubled water and encourages him to take action. Their marriage is not only a destination but even more a destiny: it is not good that the man is alone; I will make him a helper who suits him. These are the words of the vicar at the wedding ceremony.

And what about Cotton, the bear?

Cotton is difficult to define. He is neither a guardian angel nor a spirit from another world; yet he possesses a kind of angelic wit. He moves between different realms — between Toyland and the world beyond. At the same time, he behaves very much like a real bear, with simple desires such as eating honey or meeting with a she-bear. He can appear and disappear, almost like switching himself on and off. To my knowledge, he is a new phenomenon in literature, a one-off, a new kid on the block, as they say.

So, he is a kind of hybrid?

Not exactly. He doesn't have two natures but rather two appearances, as a normal toy bear that becomes alive now and then. He is fully independent and cannot be summoned at will. Yet he appears if needed. Each encounter with him is unique. Sometimes he challenges Thomas; sometimes he comforts him. He offers loyalty and friendship without becoming sentimental. Their conversations are even playful, humorous, and confrontational. In the end, his influence sinks in and becomes part of Thomas’s own personality.

What is the interaction between Thomas and the bear?

Cotton's personality entered into Thomas's life as something from outside. A stranger from a mystic world. His further development as a coach and companion is partly defined by Thomas's response, his questions and answers. In essence, Thomas allows the bear to become part of his conscience. That's how he was able to internalise the bear's wisdom as his own. Because what was uncharted territory in the beginning (Cotton overpowered him with his wit) gradually becomes his intellectual property.

Does the bear only speak with Thomas?

The conversations with the bear remain strictly Thomas's prerogative. But in his dealing with the other characters like Hennie, Jeremy and Deirdre, the effect of the bear's wisdom and wit is clearly noticeable. Thomas's personality, which in the beginning was reclusive and alienated from reality, appears to be very alert and full of self-confidence. He is no longer intimidated but stands up for himself. Implicitly, this is a message to the reader not to use violence to solve problems but rather to rely on arguments and communication skills.

Does that make the bear the main character?

In a sense, yes. Cotton steers the narrative from the beginning, but he doesn't take over Thomas's role as protagonist. He functions as a gateway to a higher conscience and as a bridge between Thomas’s past and his future. His hug helps Thomas overcome the emotional deprivation of his childhood and prepares him to take responsibility for his life and relationships. Before the wedding he says goodbye. Thomas can drive the car by himself now.

How does Hannah enter the story?

Meeting Hannah as a local cashier starts as a coincidence, a part of normal life. He is struck by her charisma, her presence, almost like a flash of light. Without the bear’s intervention he might never have recognised what she meant to him. She develops as a continuation of Cotton’s influence and represents to Thomas a human form of the same warmth that the bear first awakens. Their meeting is, therefore, another expression of the idea of Twain: two lives that originally had nothing in common come together by a twist of fate and form a bond for the rest of their days.

Does Cotton still play a role after the marriage?

Only as a toy bear. While Hannah is recovering, Cotton sits at the foot of their bed. Both Thomas and Hannah have the impression that he smiles at them. Afterwards, he recedes into the background. Yet he remains in their household, still radiating something special. One day he will probably become the favourite cuddly toy of their child.

Which characters are dearest to you?

I love them all. Cotton is closest to my heart because he is so unique. Thomas is my alter ego in many ways. I recognise myself in his struggles, and I admire his courage in confronting himself honestly. Hannah represents the kind of woman I would certainly fall in love with. And Hennie is refreshing because she is straightforward — almost blunt — but has a heart of gold. Other characters like Harry, Jeremy and Deirde are just sidekicks, but not less interesting.

Which chapter means the most to you?

Chapter 16, the wedding night, stands out for me. Hannah discovers that she can fully trust Thomas and enjoy their intimacy without fear. For her it creates a profound feeling of belonging. Thomas understands her vulnerability and is careful not to awaken painful memories from her past. Their first night together becomes deeply meaningful for both of them. Because the experience is so intense, they struggle to find the right words afterwards. Instead, they laugh about it and talk lightly, which makes the moment feel both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.

Do you have a final message for readers?

I hope the book would encourage one to become more aware of the essentials of love and human life. The story offers a starting point. Readers may nurture it in their own way. Just as Thomas internalises Cotton's wisdom, so too may people embrace the essence of the story and express it in their own words. It's about faith, hope and love – and the greatest of them all is love!

Review of "Twain"

"Your manuscript was brought to our attention at the latest editorial board meeting when we discussed the potential of its publication. Having read all the reports and taken note of the editors' opinions, we can confidently state that your work was found to be a most thrilling, absorbing, and thought-provoking read, very well-written throughout.

The board was keen to comment on the fascinating concept for the plot framed by a compelling cast of characters, especially Hanna and Thomas and their developments through the story. We also believe that this work is very well structured throughout, allowing the story to build and leaving the reader hungry to continue reading.

As an immersive piece that encompasses a variety of themes, this work will appeal to a wide audience, especially to those who enjoy stories with detailed character development; action-fuelled plots with twists and turns; stories that confront the human experience; and to those with interests in elements of the romance genre and in matters of family, friendship, and human interaction more widely.

Ultimately, the Board was impressed with the ambitious scope of this work and believes that 'Twain' has the potential to succeed within its market."

Editorial Review This is a gentle, whimsical, and deeply human novel that defies easy categorisation. Part magical realism, part romance, part philosophical meditation on love, loss, and the courage to change, "Twain" tells the story of Thomas, a fifty-year-old unemployed graphic designer who stumbles into a mysterious toy shop, steals (or perhaps rescues) a talking teddy bear named Cotton, and proceeds to have his life transformed in ways he never imagined.

The manuscript possesses a rare and appealing quality: it is unhurried without being slow, thoughtful without being ponderous, and warm without being sentimental. The prose has a distinctive rhythm, slightly formal, slightly old-fashioned, with a European sensibility that sets it apart from much contemporary fiction. The dialogue is sharp and playful, the characters are vividly drawn, and the central relationship between Thomas and Cotton is genuinely charming.

The novel is complete and structurally sound. The chapters build logically from Thomas's initial encounter with Cotton through his courtship of Hannah, the revelations about his past, the complications of inheritance and family secrets, the loss of their first child, and finally the promise of new life. The pacing is deliberate but never dragging, and the emotional beats land with genuine impact. It is also a love story, a meditation on masculinity and vulnerability, and a quiet argument for the transformative power of simply allowing oneself to be loved.

The dialogue is particularly strong. Thomas and Hannah's exchanges are playful and believable, and the banter between Thomas and Cotton has a music hall rhythm that is consistently amusing. Herald has a gift for the sharp rejoinder and the clever turn of phrase.’

The prose has a distinctive rhythm and voice that sets it apart from much contemporary fiction. This is a book that deserves to find its audience. It will speak to readers who are tired of cynicism, who long for stories that affirm the possibility of change, who believe that love, even love that comes late, even love that is hard-won, is worth the risk.

Chapter 1 (sneak preview)

The day began with a straight face, giving no hint that it had anything up its sleeve.

After a heavy lunch, Thomas lingers by the living room window, drifting in and out of daydreams. Though the winter day is still young, the first breath of twilight is already settling in. A dark cloud rolls in. The streetlights flicker on. He welcomes it as a good omen.

From the cherry wood escritoire — an heirloom from his parents — something white flutters down to the floor and lands at his feet. It is an envelope. Using his thumbnail like a letter opener, he slices it open and pulls out a smudged greeting card.

'Hi, Tom. Twenty-one again? Or closer to half a century? Keep up the good work!’

The messy scrawl is unmistakably Harry’s — his next-door neighbour. Only then does it strike Thomas that he has turned fifty today. Straightening his back, he gazes blankly at the card in his palm until the phone shakes him out of his reverie.

He mumbles a faint ‘Hello?’ without giving his name.

On the other end comes a deep, smoky growl, like the rasping roar of a toothless old lion.

'All right, Harry. No, I’m not celebrating today. No,

it won’t happen any time soon either.’

Silence.

Just when Thomas is about to put down the phone,

Harry’s sandpaper voice scrapes at his eardrum.

‘How about a pint?’

‘Okay, put it in your calendar for the weekend.’

He stretches and yawns. Recently birthdays have meant little to him. Since his parents passed away, his calendar feels like a stack of blank pages. He has been unemployed for several years now, laid off from the graphic design company to which he had devoted most of his adult life. A decision made on a whim, it seems — without even the courtesy of a farewell gathering.

He pulls on his coat, hops on his bike, and heads downtown. The streets bustle with people rushing past bulging display windows. Some have weary expressions, their shoulders hunched as they juggle Christmas errands — one hand dragging a heavy shopping bag, the other tugging along a reluctant toddler.

Thomas has no particular destination in mind. Shivering, he turns up his collar and buries his hands deep in his pockets. He lingers on the pavement as though waiting for something, though he could not say what.

An odd impulse makes him lift his gaze upward. On the façade of a shop hangs a puppet — a miniature Father Christmas. Caught in the breeze, it twists helplessly in every direction.

Then, just as Thomas is about to look away, the puppet suddenly freezes. Its arm, which moments before has been swinging aimlessly, now points firmly across the street, unmoved by the wind.

Following its direction, Thomas notices a shop he had

never seen before. Something about it holds his attention.

On impulse, he crosses the street to take a closer look. It appears to be an old-fashioned toy shop. The display window is cluttered with a curious assortment of small objects. A faint smile creeps across his face. The window dresser must have gone out for lunch halfway through his work.

In the centre of the display, a cardboard castle stands, guarded by plaster knights in various stages of decay. Around them are antique toys, farm animals, and faded jigsaw puzzles. In one corner sits a worn little doll’s house, its paint dulled by time. The whole scene possesses an awkward charm that amuses him.

He hesitates only a moment before gathering his courage and stepping inside. A coquettish little bell welcomes him. The counter is unattended. No shopkeeper appears to be around.

Step by step, he wanders deeper into the half-lit store. The old oak floor creaks beneath his feet, slightly uneven, as though it remembers better days. Shelves and glass cases overflow with relics: tin cars, dolls, miniature steam trains, boxes of Meccano, and brightly illustrated children’s books featuring familiar fairy-tale characters.

The farther he wanders, the deeper he slips into this backward journey. It feels as though he has stumbled

upon a private treasury of memories. A smell rises from the room — oiled wood, dust, and something indefinable — filling him with an unexpected wave of nostalgia. For a moment he is a child again, spellbound by a world where everything is fragile, mysterious, and new.

‘I do see you… but you didn’t see me!’ a gentle humming voice says.

Thomas freezes.

At first, he assumes it must be a child playing hide-and-seek behind the boxes. But when he looks more closely, he notices a pale brown teddy bear peering at him with bright, beady eyes and an almost conspiratorial wink. The bear is wedged into a child’s safety seat, its paws stretched forward, sitting slightly crooked as if about to topple over at any moment.

‘I do see you,’ the bear repeats, ‘but you didn’t see me!’

By now, Thomas is already too far inside the moment to be startled. As a child he used to hold imaginary conversations with his stuffed animals. And, at least in his imagination, they always talked back.

‘You didn’t see me, did you?’ the bear continues. ‘But I certainly see you!’

Thomas clears his throat. ‘I hear you talking,’ he says cautiously. ‘If you don’t mind my asking, could you tell me your name, please?’

The bear tilts its head thoughtfully and stares into the air as if searching for the answer somewhere above the shelves.

‘Goodness,’ he sighs after a moment. ‘It seems to have slipped my mind. Must be an age thing. Perhaps you’d better come up with a suitable name for me.’

Thomas frowns slightly. ‘Don’t you have the faintest idea?' Isn’t everyone given a name at birth?’

The bear shrugs lightly. ‘One would think so. Getting a name is the least one may expect in life.’

Thomas stares at him in silence, careful not to disturb the fragile spell that seems to have settled over the room.

Then the bear’s eyes suddenly light up. ‘That’s right! There’s a label on my belly.’ With considerable effort he bends forward. ‘Made in Israel,' he announces triumphantly. ‘Isn’t that something?’

Thomas can’t help smiling. ‘Well,’ he says, ‘that must be where you’re from, then.’

The bear continues reading the label with scholarly seriousness. ‘My skin is cotton, filled with genuine lamb’s wool. Washable at thirty degrees Celsius.’

He pauses, clearly impressed. ‘Washable! Imagine that. It’s been quite some time since I washed.’

Thomas laughs quietly. ‘In that case, Cotton seems a perfectly decent name for you.’

The bear tastes the word thoughtfully. ‘Cotton… aye. That suits me rather well, I suppose.’

He looks at Thomas again and nods with satisfaction. ‘I already feel much better now. Thanks.’

Then, he casually runs his fingertip over his schnoz.

‘As you already might have noticed, I’m quite fluffy.’

‘So, what?’

The bear reaches out a paw. ‘Just touch me.’

Drawn into the bear’s magnetic charm, Thomas hesitates only a second before stroking the soft fur. A soothing warmth spreads through his arm, sending goose bumps across his back. It throws him off balance slightly.

'How is it that you can speak?’ he blurts, his tone harsher than intended, like a stern officer interrogating a suspect.

‘Toy animals only speak for those who have ears to hear.' The bear nods in his direction. ‘It’s rather normal, actually.’

Thomas grins and raises an eyebrow. ‘You’re quite exceptional, if you ask me.’

‘Exception proves the rule.’

‘What rule?’

'All bears are equal. But some bears are more equal than others.’

Thomas stares him down with a surprised look. ‘Blimey! So, you come from an animal farm, you say? Mind you, it’s just a fantasy world, but you look pretty real to me.’

'Obviously, in your case, it works, doesn’t it?’

‘Should I take it as a compliment?’ Thomas shrugs. ‘It’s like being caught in a dream with no way out.’

'You talk back to me, don’t you? That’s the clue.’

‘I can’t help talking to myself,’ Thomas says with a

grin.

‘Why is that?’

‘Because I’m the only one who listens.’

‘Perhaps you have not much to say.’

'I'm baffled; that’s what it is. You kind of trapped me into your space, didn’t you? It feels like inescapable.’

‘You may check out anytime you like, but you will leave only if you really want to.’

'I just might not. I still can’t believe my eyes, though.’

‘You’re dreaming with your eyes open.’

‘I wonder if it’s my dream or yours.’

‘Maybe it’s ours.’

Thomas now crouches down in front of the bear and gently props him upright. ‘There you go!’ The bear feels warm and alive.

'Thank you, sir. It was killing me softly, sitting crooked like that. I’ve been left on my own too often.’

Thomas leans closer, intrigued. ‘Where do you

belong, if I may ask?’

The bear heaves a deep sigh. ‘Wherever there is love. But love is rare in this world. So, I just sit and wait.’

‘And could you tell me what exactly you’re waiting for? For someone to buy you?’

The bear shakes his head and looks sideways. ‘I’m not for sale, as far as I know.’

He then gives a cursory glance in his direction. ‘But I will give myself freely to anyone who’s worth it.’

‘And the proprietor of the shop – would he agree with that?’

'I am nobody’s. Only mine.’

The conversation falters, leaving Thomas speechless. Is this real? Or only a feverish hallucination?

If you want to know how it goes on, please buy the book or download the e-book.