Theodor Fontane (1819-98) was a German novelist and potitical reporter. He began writing novels - now his best known works - at the age of 57.Fontane once said that 'women's stories are generally far more interesting' , and the story of Effi Briest (1894), is considered his masterpiece.
''I have been haunted by it ... as I am by those novels that seem to do more than they say, to induce strong emotions that can't quite be accounted for'' - Hermione Lee ''A stunningly moving, beautiful, witty and urbane novel: I was blown away by it.'' - Kate Saunders ''Fontane's masterpiece is now generally acclaimed as Germany's contribution, alongside Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina, to the great nineteenth-century European novels of adultery'' - TLS