An early review of the book, by R. W. Flint in The Kenyon Review, called it "one of the most readable novels to appear since the war" but ultimately criticised it severely for its "second-handedness", saying that Lowry "lacks the confidence of the innovator" [REF].
Modern Library's 100 Best Novels of English novels in the 20th century lists the book at position 11 [REF].