When Ivan Hron is expelled from university because of his political beliefs he is kicked out of the family home and disinherited by his father. He finds a job in Prague as a bank clerk, works hard and impresses his employers. Some years later, he is appointed manager. Now a man of considerable means he is keen to get married and start a family. One summer holiday he meets Magdalena, a young woman from the country who is at the resort with her parents, and falls in love. But his proposal of marriage is refused. Six months pass and Ivan hears that Magda's father has fallen upon hard times. He gets back in touch, repeats his proposal and this time is accepted. And although their union is seemingly a happy one, it remains childless, much to Ivan's distress. One day, Ivan discovers a letter his wife has hidden from him. The contents shatter his illusions of their happy marriage and reveal secrets that challenge everything he has hoped for in life. But his reaction will surprise those around him and, quite possibly, the reader too.

Childless is a short novella by a revered Czech writer whose work is little-known in English. Its forward-thinking philosophy, way ahead of its time, makes it a story that deserves a modern readership Part of the Very Short Classics series, a collection of short books from around the world and across the centuries, many of which are being made available for the first time in decades.