Although the novel fell into obscurity after its initial release, it found a new readership when Ballantine Books re-issued it as part of their "Adult Fantasy series" in June 1969. The novel has since become widely recognized as one of the most influential and most praised of the genre. Many critics, including L. Sprague de Camp, described it as being on par with "The Lord of the Rings" in terms of its quality and influence. Arthur C. Clarke felt that the novel helped cement Dunsany as "one of the greatest writers of this century". It was also praised by W. B. Yeats, who wrote that Dunsany "had transfigured with beauty the common sights of the world".