Burger’s Daughter experienced a fraught journey in South Africa, initially facing a ban before eventual reprieve after heated discussions. Nadine Gordimer, the author, not only chronicled the saga of her novel’s censorship in What Happened to “Burger’s Daughter,”: Or, How South African Censorship Works (1980) but also managed to overturn restrictions through her formidable moral stance and decision to remain in South Africa. Unlike contemporaries such as Alan Paton, who opted to leave, Gordimer’s commitment to her homeland added weight to her resistance against the governmental ban, a stance supported by her extensive literary reputation built over years of novels and short story collections.

Gordimer’s Burger’s Daughter epitomizes her characteristic perceptive analysis of contemporary societal behaviors, a hallmark of her literary work. Prior to the release of July’s People in 1981, it was often hailed as her finest work. However, her approach, often perceived as stark and analytical by some readers, sparked criticism. Gordimer defended her style, asserting that emotional warmth is not a prerequisite for a compelling novel. This ideological precision placed her in the crossfire of criticism from both black radicals and the nationalist government, illustrating her unique position within South Africa’s complex political landscape.

Rooted partially in historical events, Burger’s Daughter draws parallels with the life of Bram Fischer, a prominent anti-apartheid figure. Lionel Burger, the novel’s central character, mirrors Fischer’s journey—from his family heritage to his political trial and subsequent demise in prison in 1966, enriching the narrative with a layer of authenticity and historical gravity that underscores the novel's thematic concerns and Gordimer’s literary intentions.