The novella chronicles a week in the life of a Soviet woman, Olga, who juggles her demanding career as a research scientist with the relentless responsibilities of domestic life. Despite her intelligence and hard work, she faces the constant struggle of balancing her professional ambitions with the expectations placed upon her as a mother, wife, and daughter-in-law. The narrative provides a poignant and realistic portrayal of the societal pressures faced by women, highlighting the gender inequalities and the double burden of work and family duties that many women endure, all set against the backdrop of mid-20th century Soviet society.

The novel is a sweeping historical saga that follows four generations of a Korean family from the early 20th century to the 1980s, beginning in Japanese-occupied Korea and moving to Japan. It explores the family's struggles and triumphs against the backdrop of cultural and social discrimination. The game of Pachinko, a popular Japanese arcade game, serves as a metaphor for the randomness and challenges of life that the characters face, particularly in the context of their immigrant status and the enduring quest for identity, acceptance, and success in a foreign land. Through the family's experiences, the narrative delves into themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty, painting a vivid portrait of an often invisible segment of Japanese society.