The novel included mixed reviews, drawing criticism for its pedantic explanation of Gordimer's worldview.

[2] The novel's main plot focuses on depicting the divisions and boundaries that Apartheid and international capitalism created within South African society.

[4] Toby, the narrator, is a young Englishman who moves to Johannesburg to work for the family business.

Toby discovers the many hardships of living under the apartheid system, and his life will be changed forever when his friendship with Steven ends in tragedy.

In 1962, a Danish film adaptation of the novel was released under the title Dilemma by Danish film director, Henning Carlsen, and starring Ivan Jackson, Evelyn Frank, and Marijke Mann.