[1][2][3] The novel is semi-autobiographical, with the main character coming from a small mining town in Africa similar to Gordimer's own childhood in Springs.

His ethical stances and sense of Jewish identity and ancestry impresses Helen: "His nature had for mine the peculiar charm of the courage to be itself without defiance.

[11] Writing in the El Paso Herald-Post, F. A. Ehmann called The Lying Days "not a bad novel", adding that once it got going, Gordimer's characters become "interesting", the plot "satisfactory", and her prose "good [and] honest".

"[12] In a review in the Petersburg Progress Index, Joan Pollack described The Lying Days as "alive, bright and inquiring" and complimented it on its "handling ... the problems of youth [while] still maintaining the beauty and adventure of life.

"[13] Pollack said Gordimer "is an expert craftsman and her sensitive ability to portray the most delicate emotions should place her among the most promising newcomers today".