Breakdings are the story of a boiling love that could not be filled because of small -bourgeois morality, professional pride and petty disputes. Mayor Sedláček is a respected and rich citizen whose two beautiful daughters have the best prerequisites to marry when the successful sons of the local factory owner Čech fall in love. The older Běta, however, discourages his suitor with his tense behavior, which is convinced that she suits the rich bride. The sincere and passionate love of the second couple in love will pay hard for the petty disputes of the fathers and their adversity. The book is also interesting for a description of the economic and cultural life of the Czech town at the end of the 19th century.