Each serialized chapter a huge novel in its own right. There are nine fat books already. There will be several more. Like the pyramids, it is too vast to be ignored. It dominates the landscape and, most recently, the bestseller lists.
Some background is thus in order.
In the Third Age of the World, thousands of years after the Dark One was imprisoned in Shayol Ghul by the forces of light, the seals which bind him are weakening. His dread influence is once more felt and his infamous minions, the Forsaken, are at large. Opposing them are the heroes of the piece, primarily a group of villagers from Emond's Field destined to occupy pivotal roles in the unfolding epic. One of them, Rand al'Thor, is the Dragon Reborn, the reincarnation of the Dark One's ancient foe. The surface of the tale is cluttered and complex, but the heart of the matter is simple.