Vladislav Vancura is one of the great Czech writers, who, according to Frantisek Xaver Salda, "moved Czech prose into a whole new sphere." He was also an important dramatist, essayist, movie director, scriptwriter, and public figure. In all his works, Vancura used rich poetic language in a highly personal way. He was a leading representative of the Czech avant-garde between the world wars, and he was an uncompromising opponent of fascism.

Vladislav Vancura was born 23 June 1891 in Háj near Opava. His parents were Václav Vojtech, a business manager at a sugar refinery, and Marie Vancura (née Svobodová). Vancura had four sisters and many relations, among whom was the author Jirí Mahen (the pseudonym of Antonín Vancura). Vancura's childhood was spent in various places, including Davle near Prague and Prague itself. He attended grammar school in Benesov but interrupted...