His fine historical novel Vor dem Sturm ( 1878 ) was followed by a series of novels of modern life , notably L'Adultera ( 1882 ) , a book about adultery which was considered so risquÃ that it took Fontane two years to find a publisher . His fine historical romance Vor dem Sturm ( 1878 ) was followed by a series of novels of modern life , notably L'Adultera ( 1882 ) , a book about adultery which was considered so risquÃ that it took Fontane two years to find a publisher .