The broken sword

The author significantly revised the text for a 1971 edition, which differs from the original 1954 publication. Some readers prefer the original version for its distinct prose style, while the 1971 revision remains the most widely available text.

Published in the same year as The Fellowship of the Ring, this novel is frequently cited by critics and authors as a foundational work of dark fantasy and sword and sorcery. It is noted for its influence on later genre writers, including Michael Moorcock, who drew inspiration from its portrayal of the forces of Law and Chaos.