This novel series, written over the course of 22 years and comprising a total of 4.5 million Chinese characters, is the longest known single work of fiction in the world. It encompasses the fruits of nearly all the literary experimentation and exploration from the 19th century until today; it is a unique work, an almanac or encyclopedia gestated in the course of a long night. The series was deeply influential starting from the moment of its publication, being referred to as the "e;peak of Chinese literature"e; - within three years it had garnered thirteen Chinese and international literary prizes, and sold 820,005 copies.