The ending was not what I expected at all! I really enjoyed this book, and I found myself pondering what it would be like to be in your own "end of the world" brain trap. I wondered how mine would be constructed...if my brain could even have the ability to create something like that in the first place.I love Murakami, so I'm biased for giving this 5 stars, so be it. The books moves fast for the most part, except for some end of the world chapters. The contrast between the two was jarring, but they fit together. One chapter swept up with the kappas, the next, a slow trek outside for map making. I enjoyed that they were parallel, even though, by the time you finish the book, you will understand that the time points don't match. Makes me want to go back and read the end of the world parts again and look for some more clues.