Title: The imitation man.
Description: It was in the early seventies that I last read this book and being, then, in my twenties and not a particularly perceptive reader   
have decided on reading it again with the hope now,  in my dotage,  of finding a more qualified appraisal than I did then.I I mean no change
It is a novel and the opening chapter is headed, 'Spontaneous Generation Of A Protoplast' which, along with the book's title gives some idea of theme and content.
Subjects: I mean no change to the comments and detailed facts to the first edition of 1931 but merely have added these comments to detail the existence of a second edition in 1941.
Places: London, Buckingham Palace.
People: The story begins with a research chemist, Harold Chater, experimenting with horse manure and other things in an attempt to create life.
Time periods: Post First World War.