I think that there are primarily two reasons for Across Realtime 's success. First , the book deals with strong, unique and thoroughly expounded ideas. He not only comes up with original ideas but he carries them all the way through to their logical conclusions. Secondly , Across Realtime is written with outstanding characterization, especially for a science-fiction novel. All too often the left-brain writers who dominate this genre play fast and loose with their characters, destroying their character believability and thus savaging the value and truth of the entire story.
Good characterization requires right-brain and emotional thinking.
The young genius hoodlum Wili, the tinker-scientist Paul Naismith and police officer Wil Brierson are all memorable people and they carry the events of the story very well.