 Very shortly after publication in 1920, a book review came out in "The Sewanee Review" in which G.H.C.said that "The Rescue" is "deeply and sincerely imaginative", and "is Conrad at his best"

Also in 1920, The New York Times published an article on "The Rescue", in which the 20-year delay from beginning to end of the novel is discussed.Louise Maunsell Field writes that there is a noticeable change in writing style, but it comes at a point where the narrative demands expediency.