Modern Japanese Novelists: A Biographical Dictionary by John Lewell offers a comprehensive guide to the major figures of modern Japanese literature. Published by Kodansha International in 1993, this first edition hardcover includes detailed biographical entries, bibliographical references, and insights into the history and criticism of Japanese fiction from 1868 onwards. The text is set in Palatino and features a clean, well-preserved interior with a dust jacket showing minimal wear. It serves as an essential reference for scholars and readers interested in the evolution of the Japanese novel and its translation into English.