A World of Strangers
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | Nadine Gordimer |
| Products | Fiction book |
A World of Strangers is a 1958 work of fiction authored by South African writer Nadine Gordimer. The novel generated varied critical responses, with some reviewers expressing reservations about the extensive articulation of Gordimer's ideological perspective. Due to its provocative subject matter, it faced a 12-year prohibition in South Africa.
The narrative delves into the societal fractures wrought by Apartheid and global capitalism within South Africa, emphasizing liberal ideologies on both national and international stages.
Plot
Toby, a young Englishman employed in his family's Johannesburg enterprise, defies apartheid conventions by forming a friendship with Steven, an educated black man. Through Steven's experiences, Toby gains insight into life within black townships and confronts the brutal realities imposed by apartheid, leading to a sorrowful conclusion to their relationship.
Adaptation
In 1962, Danish filmmaker Henning Carlsen transformed the novel into the motion picture Dilemma, featuring Ivan Jackson and Evelyn Frank. The film earned the Grand Prize at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival. To prevent confusion with an unrelated crime thriller named Dilemma, its U.K. release bore the title A World of Strangers.
Critical reception
William Peden, writing for The New York Times, commended the novel: "Miss Gordimer’s skillful juxtaposition of Steven, Cecil, and their respective environments—and how these influence Toby’s growth—forms the core of her narrative." He further remarked that Gordimer "demonstrates insight and craftsmanship worthy of her subject’s gravity. A World of Strangers stands as the most compelling work in her already notable oeuvre. The depiction of her reality is occasionally stunning." Peden concluded that the book "constitutes a genuine artistic achievement, vibrant and as relevant as forthcoming news."
Similarly, William DuBois praised the novel in The New York Times: "At times, she can both mystify and alarm with a single phrase or paint a lasting scene of despair. She makes it clear that the existence of white inhabitants in this insulated community is precariously balanced. Although collapse is not imminent, the unraveling is evident." DuBois observed that "hope remains distant until racial prejudice loses its destructive power."