Age of Consent

by Joanne Greenberg

Daniel Sanborn is a saintly, enigmatic figure, a surgeon who travels the Third World repairing disfigured faces. But in Spain, on his way home to New York, the car in which the doctor is riding with the Archbishop of Málaga is ambushed. Sanborn and two assistants are killed. Were the bullets that everyone assumed were meant for the Archbishop in fact aimed at Sanborn? As his sister Vivian sets out to find the puzzling gaps in Daniel's life the question of why he was killed becomes almost more important that who killed him. Who was he really? Even his past is a mystery. Vivian only knows that he was a waif from Jerusalem brought over to America by her wealthy Jewish parents. Daniel's adoptive parents were well intentioned and generous, but he never asked for nor received consent to this new life. His real mother, an embattled woman, gave him away without his consent. Because he was unconsenting, Daniel Sanborn had no capacity to love. What can a good man do when he cannot love?

The more Vivian finds out about her adopted brother, the more troubled she becomes. Why did he leave most of his money to a tawdry nightclub comedian, Jack Ripstein? To add to the mystery, Ripstein - "Jack the Ripper" - at first pretends that he never knew Daniel Sanborn. Finally she must confront the biggest question of all: Was Daniel Sanborn really the great man she took him for?

277 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1987

About the author

Joanne Greenberg, also known as Hannah Green, is a writer whose style lends itself to the mature reader yet simultaneously presents themes suitable for all ages. Greenberg addresses the persistent doubts that plague all of us by relating stories of others in need. Though the scenarios in which her characters find themselves may be unfamiliar to the average reader, the emotions they feel while enmeshed in the plotlines are universal in appeal and scope. Her works include magazine publications, short stories, novels, and a movie adaptation of her book, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.

Reviews

[Lenny Husen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is the story of the life and work of a Plastic Surgeon who spent his life treating patients for free in third world (or fourth world) countries, operating out of a tent. I ended up seriously disliking the guy, but he did great things before getting murdered as a victim of the unrest and war going on in whatever country he was working at the time. This book is fantastic, because it explores the difference between actually being a good person and having a mission to do good, and the difference between people thinking that a man is a hero and actually being one. The hero of the book is the nurse who worked for 10 years at the doctor's side and who got no credit, no accolades, and no thank you from the selfish narcissistic bastard that she served. But you decide--you might love the surgeon guy. It is definitely worth reading.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambitious mystery tale, with much interesting detail on the desperate needs of poor third world peoples. Much of it is very well done. The best part of this interesting book is a long scene in a home for the retarded. This is the author of I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.

[Terry See · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartrending, international tale of human beauties, deceptions, lies and revelations. A wonderful ride with much to learn and understand about ourselves, along the way.

[Sophiene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in dutch where it was published under the name of Hannah Green.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sister's struggle to make sense of her saintly brother's death is heart wrenching.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read the dutch translation 'Dubbel leven' years ago