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Literary Fiction· South Africa

Burger's Daughter

by Nadine Gordimer
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1979English
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About This Book

Burger's Daughter by Nadine Gordimer is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1979. Burger's Daughter is a compelling narrative about the struggle against apartheid, focusing on the life of Rosa Burger, the daughter of a prominent anti-apartheid activist. Through Rosa's journey of self-discovery, Gordimer explores the personal and political dimensions of resistance, identity, and legacy. The novel is a testament to Gordimer's skill in capturing the complexities of South African society. Themes of resistance, identity, legacy run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorNadine Gordimer
Published1979
Country of Origin🇿🇦 South Africa
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780140055931
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇿🇦 South Africa

This book is part of South Africa's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from South Africa →

Editorial Assessment

Burger's Daughter by Nadine Gordimer sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1979 in South Africa, it engages with resistance, identity, legacy, political struggle in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of Burger's Daughter lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of resistance, identity, legacy, political struggle is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Nadine Gordimer's role in the literature of South Africa is well established. Burger's Daughter can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
20030
✍️
About the Author
Nadine Gordimer
South Africa
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Nadine Gordimer is a South Africa author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Burger's Daughter about?

Burger's Daughter is a compelling narrative about the struggle against apartheid, focusing on the life of Rosa Burger, the daughter of a prominent anti-apartheid activist. Through Rosa's journey of self-discovery, Gordimer explores the personal and political dimensions of resistance, identity, and legacy. The novel is a testament to Gordimer's skill in capturing the complexities of South African society.

Who wrote Burger's Daughter?

Burger's Daughter was written by Nadine Gordimer, from South Africa. First published in 1979.

What awards has Burger's Daughter won?

Burger's Daughter has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Burger's Daughter worth reading?

Burger's Daughter is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in resistance, identity, legacy.

Where can I buy Burger's Daughter?

You can buy Burger's Daughter on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Burger's Daughter?

Burger's Daughter is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Burger's Daughter from?

Burger's Daughter originates from South Africa's literary tradition. Explore more books from South Africa on our country page.

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