[3] Though he was criticised for writing flattering poems about Nicolae Ceaușescu,[2] Păunescu remained popular in Romania,[2] where he appeared on television several times a week.

[2] As posthumously summarized by newspaper România Liberă, Păunescu "is still viewed as a hero by the man in the street"[3] although "intellectuals continue to question his integrity and the literary value of his work".

Poets promoted included canonical names of Romanian literature: Mihai Eminescu, Lucian Blaga, Octavian Goga, George Bacovia, Nichita Stănescu, Ana Blandiana.

[6] Regarding the later, singer and song-writer Daniel Reynaud, who occasionally performs (Australia, USA) songs on verses of Păunescu translated in English, expressed the opinion that Against War (Antirăzboinica - Verses Adrian Păunescu, music Valeriu Sterian, translation Daniel Ioniță) is on par with any anti war poem or song Bob Dylan, or anyone, might have written.

[7] According to literary critic Nicolae Manolescu, Adrian Păunescu is both loved and loathed, authentic and false, capable of sublime poetry as well as mediocre slogans.

Păunescu is capable of large and swift movements of emotion and expression in his poetry, where loud posing can be followed by delicate doubt, and a pamphlet by a hymn.

[10] Survived by his wife and three children, Păunescu was posthumously thanked by Romania's president Traian Băsescu, who in saluting him mentioned only his contributions to art.