"A Tale for the Time Being" is a novel that intertwines the lives of a Japanese teenager named Nao and a writer living on a remote island in Canada. Nao documents her struggles in a diary, detailing her experiences with bullying, family issues, and her relationship with her great-grandmother, a Buddhist nun. Her personal narrative gives readers a deep insight into her thoughts and feelings, as she seeks meaning in her existence amidst suffering.
The story's structure is non-linear, as it alternates between Nao's present and the writer's reflections on the diary she discovers washed ashore. This interplay raises questions about time, memory, and the connections between individuals across distances and cultures. The writer, influenced by Nao's words, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and contemplation, contemplating the impact of storytelling.