The Age of Consent

by Geoffrey Wolff

Ted and Maisie's parents moved to the community of Blackberry Mountain in upstate New York, full of hope for the future; they would live a wholesome life rooted in the natural world, free from social constraints and the ugly urban climate of the early seventies. But all this changes when Maisie, age 15, stands poised at the top of a waterfall on the Fourth of July, looking down over the family, friends, and neighbors for whom she is an emblem - young, free-spirited, and irreverent - before plunging headfirst into the shallow pool, doing herself injuries that will mark them all forever. This purposeful and defiant act is the mystery her younger brother will devote his life to solving. And as Ted investigates his relationship with his sister and parents and community, he gradually uncovers difficult truths long unsuspected or willfully unacknowledged.

Genres: Fiction, Novels

226 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 1996

Reviews

[Maddie New · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book randomly at a bookstore, and boy did it surprise me. I skimmed through the summary blurb originally, wanting the book to be a surprise because the title was intriguing, and it was definitely nothing like I expected.

This novel really explores being able to consent as a child, and how most times, children don’t consider themselves as being assaulted because they believe they are old enough to make their own decisions, even though they aren’t. It shows how sexual trauma can really hinder the development of a child and possibly even cause subsequent abusive instances where a victim becomes the next abuser.

I will say that this book was pretty slow and a lot of the information seemed unimportant to the development of the characters and the storyline. The big mystery was fairly predictable, but the themes that this novel explores are very important and extremely interesting.

I think it’s a worthwhile read if you’re looking for something impactful and slow. It reminds me a lot of Jodi Picoult’s style of writing, very deep and highly researched. However, the plot as a whole seemed to drag on and not keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s definitely more of a literary/upmarket style of writing, and if that’s what you’re in the mood to read, I definitely recommend this!

[Kayla Springborg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. This is what happens when you try to write a child as an unreliable narrator, with the subject matter being not only the sexual abuse of his sister, but of himself.
Glorified childhood sexual assault, victim blaming, idolatry of a child rapist, incest, adultery. The conversations were rushed and scattered, the memory recollection was poorly thought out, the motives of the characters were SO unrealistic and unlikely. The plot was disorderly, which served no purpose.

There is not a single thing I liked about this book.

[Cynthia Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of one charming man who takes control over an entire family, eventually, and is the cause of their disintegration. Told from the viewpoint (mostly) of the son of the family, it is tragic almost to the limits of the imagination of the reader. The ending is the penance for the charmer’s sins. Still, fault isn’t his alone, and there are others abetting his crimes who are punished in other ways.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had thought it would be a slow book, but even with the pacing the reader was kept captive. While it doesn’t go too deeply into all viewpoints, I think it feels more authentic that way. The way the author sets things up, the way the characters voices just work so well to move the stories; I think this was a great read.

[Lucy Tax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t remember when I finished this but we’re going with end of January. Quite an interesting read, it twisted in a way I didn’t expect which is always appreciated. A little bit gruesome, definitely didn’t feel warm and fuzzy after finishing, but I appreciated it’s realism.

[Marianne Ramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading anything by Geoffrey Wolff. This book was very good, and I enjoyed the story of the Jenks family. My only criticism is that the book was predictable. Edward was my favorite character.

[Rachel Bertrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling and weird, this book shows the darker side of free love. I wish only that we had gotten a deeper look, and yet the relatively shallow understanding feels more authentic.

[Lizzie]

i refuse to put one star because it doesn’t deserve more than zero

[Tera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book some time ago and don't quite remember the whole story line and characters. I think I would suggest doing so again before reading the second book which picks up where the first left off.
The story was a quick read and it is a "youth reader" for sure. I read it before allowing my 10 yr old to read it. (I preview the more mature books first) I think it is perfect for the y0ounger reader, but as an adult I would have enjoyed more details and thought processes of the characters.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in the storyline and subject matter and I enjoyed the characters. However, I did find the story to be a little predictable. I also was left with a lot of questions still at the end of the book. I hear there's a second book to this one though? Maybe that will clear some things up. Overall, it definitely got me thinking a lot about morality, which was enjoyable but also a little disturbing.

[Joshua D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific ending. Deals with surprising subject matter in a brave way. Some of background plotting in first half feels excessive. First chapter reads like a great short story. Good motifs throughout. Very much a "sins of the fathers" story.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Age of Consent poses interesting questions about what consent means when one of the parties is a child and shows how vulnerable the young can be to the predations (emotional and physical) of their elders.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disturbing book about a hippie commune gone bad. This, and a few others on my recent list, were in a pile of $1 books at Rust Belt Books.

[Lawrence Davis]

DEPRESSING