In 2008 Sam Jordison described the novel as "appalling," the "worst ever winner the Hugo Award," and "a basic creative writing 'how not to,'" saying that its win "by public vote (...) raises serious questions about the value of a universal franchise." Similarly, author Lawrence Watt-Evans has stated that "They'd Rather Be Right" is "the usual cited" as the "worst book ever to win [the Hugo Award", and author Rick Cook has responded to the question of "Is the book any good?" with "No," going on to explain its origins as "one of those tailored-to-order serials for the old "Astounding". Sometimes those things worked and sometimes they didn't. This one didn't."