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...

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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, calling 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.

Why English?

As a Dutch person, I find myself somewhat uneasily positioned between three cultures: Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Each of them has qualities I admire. But when it comes to writing fiction, British English stands out as the most suitable vehicle for my thoughts because of its sense of irony. It hovers somewhere between heaven and earth — a kind of duplicity that I find very attractive. It took some time to get used to it, though, and I am still learning.

Which authors have inspired you?

The Dutch writer Godfried Bomans influenced me deeply with his humour and irresistible wordplay. He was strongly inspired by Charles Dickens and introduced a certain British tone into Dutch literature. That “frequency” has stayed with me throughout my life. Later I discovered A. A. Milne, whose Poohish lightness of tone and phrasing fascinated me. After that came Oscar Wilde and, of course, James Joyce. Besides them, I picked up fragments from many other writers, including German and French authors.

What struck you most about James Joyce?

He was an original writer who struggled for years to get his books published. Eventually he met a woman in Paris, Sylvia Beach, who decided to publish Ulysses. The rest is literary history. Stories like that encourage writers like me to keep trying. Of course I would never dare to compare my work with his, but every writer needs someone to look up to.

Why did you choose 'Twain' as a title?

First of all, I wanted a title that would be as concise and striking as possible — something that would stay in people’s minds and make them curious. Twain fulfils that purpose well because 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. The title 'Twain' is therefore also a small tribute to a great author.

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.

So, you didn’t intend to write a novel?

Not at all. After finishing the carol, I simply followed the thread of the story in my mind without knowing where it would lead. I had no plan or concept beforehand. The narrative developed intuitively and often surprised me. My subconscious clearly played an important role.

Does the protagonist Thomas resemble you?

Thomas is fifty years old — roughly my own age at the time when I began writing. We both come from a religious, conservative background. He is introverted, like me, more of a thinker than a man of action. Creativity is his escape route, just as writing and music are for me. But there are also differences. Thomas is a graphic designer, while I am a writer and composer. And I allowed him something special: a romantic new beginning in life.

And what about Cotton, the bear?

Cotton is not easy to define. He is neither an 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 dreaming of a she-bear. He can appear and disappear, almost like switching himself on and off.

So, he is a kind of hybrid?

Not exactly. He does not have two natures, but rather two appearances. He is fully independent and cannot be summoned at will. Yet he appears when he is needed. Each encounter with him is unique. Sometimes he challenges Thomas; sometimes he comforts him. He offers loyalty and friendship without becoming sentimental. In the end his influence becomes part of Thomas’s own personality.

Does that make him the main character?

In a sense, yes. Cotton steers the narrative from the beginning. He functions 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?

Hannah appears as a continuation of Cotton’s influence. She represents a human form of the same warmth that the bear first awakens. Thomas initially feels no sexual desire for her. Instead, he is struck by her presence, almost like a flash of light. Without the bear’s intervention he might never have recognised what she meant to him. Their meeting is therefore another expression of the idea of twain: two lives that seemed unrelated suddenly come together.

How does the story end?

Hannah unfortunately loses her first child, but she recovers. In the final chapter she becomes pregnant again. Thomas resumes his work as an independent graphic designer, and Hannah returns to the stage as a ballet dancer. Their life together settles into a calm and comforting rhythm, leaving the reader with an agreeable aftertaste.

Does Cotton still play a role after the marriage?

Only as a toy bear. After Hannah loses her first child, Cotton lies 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 enjoy 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.

Which chapter means the most to you?

Chapter 16, the wedding night. 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 are almost at a loss for 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 encourages readers to reconsider their own direction in life and to become more aware of the essentials of love and human connection. The story is not meant as a manual or a set of instructions. Rather, it plants a seed. Each reader may allow that seed to grow in their own way. Just as Thomas internalises Cotton, readers may grasp the essence of the story and reinterpret it in their own words.

Review of "Twain"

(Quote)

"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-fueled 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."

(Unquote)