The Beginning of a Novel (Počátek Románu) is an opera by Leoš Janáček to a Czech libretto by Jaroslav Tichý after a short story by Gabriela Preissová, itself suggested by a painting by Jaroslav Věšín.

Although not a successful work, it is significant because it marks the beginning of Janáček's association with Gabriela Preissová, who also wrote the story on which Jenůfa, his first great opera, was based.

Originally planned as a singspiel with spoken dialogue, The Beginning of a Novel is unusual among Janáček's stage works in being a "numbers opera" rather than composed with continuous music.

Poluška, a pretty village girl, flirts with Baron Adolf despite her engagement to Tonek, a boy of her own class.

This does not go well, and Poluška returns chastened to the faithful Tonek, while the Baron finds happiness with a Countess.