In 1983, the final volume of Gene Wolfe's magnum opus, The Book of the New Sun was released. Fans of this obscure masterwork immediately began clamoring for more. Four years later, a one-shot "coda" to New Sun was released, entitled The Urth of the New Sun. Fans would have to wait six more years before Wolfe began penning another epic; The Book of the Long Sun. Prequel series to The Book of the Short Sun.