A House Built on Sand

Tina Shaw’s A House Built on Sand is a poignant exploration of memory, identity, and familial ties, masterfully interwoven with the haunting realities of early-onset dementia. Maxine, the protagonist, is grappling with the gradual erosion of her mind, creating a narrative that shifts between clarity and confusion. At 58, Maxine’s mental state unravels as she loses objects, memories, and ultimately her grip on reality. Meanwhile, her daughter Rose struggles to balance the demands of her mother’s care with her own unresolved trauma and strained marriage.

Set against the evocative backdrop of Kutarere, the family’s seaside bach becomes both a refuge and a site of buried secrets. Shaw’s alternating perspectives between Maxine’s fragmented first-person narrative and Rose’s third-person chapters vividly portray the heartache of a deteriorating mind while offering insight into the emotional toll on caregivers.

The novel deftly combines suspense with deeply personal themes. As Maxine’s secrets resurface, readers are drawn into a mystery that blurs the lines between past and present. Shaw’s empathetic portrayal of dementia and the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships makes this a compelling read. A House Built on Sand is a haunting and heartfelt story that lingers long after the final page.