John Wainwright is extremely intelligent even if he is stunted in his physical development. He believes in communist ideas but is critical of mainstream Marxism. He is also quite vain and highly skillful in the arts of seduction. From a human viewpoint, he can be considered amoral or perhaps to be following a morality beyond human understanding. The novel explores the theme of the Übermensch (superman) in the character of Odd John whose supernormal human mentality inevitably leads to conflict with normal human society and the utopian colony founded by him and other superhumans.

Olaf Stapledon (1886-1950) was a British philosopher and author of science fiction. Stapledon's writings directly influenced Arthur C. Clarke, Bertrand Russell, C. S. Lewis, and indirectly influenced many others, contributing many ideas to the world of science fiction. In 2014, he was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.