The End of Normal

By: Stephanie Madoff Mack

Narrated by: Stephanie Madoff Mack

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

An explosive, heartbreaking memoir from the widow of Mark Madoff and daughter-in-law of Bernard Madoff, the first genuine inside story from a family member who has lived through - and survived - both the public crisis and her own deeply personal tragedy.

When the news of Bernard Madoff 's Ponzi scheme broke, Americans were shocked and outraged, perhaps none more so than the unsuspecting members of his own family. After learning that their father's legendarily successful wealth management company was "all just one big lie", Mark and Andrew Madoff turned their father in and cut off all communication with both parents.

Mark and his wife, Stephanie, strove to make a fresh start for the sake of their two young children, but Mark could not overcome his sense of betrayal and shame - he and other family members were sued for $200 million in October of 2009. He hung himself on the two-year anniversary of his father's arrest. Left to raise her children as a single mother, Stephanie wrote this memoir to give them a sense of who their father really was, defend his innocence, and put her personal statement on record once and for all.

In this candid insider account, she talks about her idyllic wedding to Mark on Nantucket, what it was really like to be a part of the Madoff family, the build-up to Bernard's confession, and the media frenzy that followed. It is about the loss of the fairytale life she knew, adjusting to life with a man she hardly recognized anymore, and the tragic and final loss of her husband.

©2011 Stephanie Madoff Mack (P)2011 Penguin

Appreciative

Many years ago, I read the account of the Madoff’s story, and now I can fully appreciate Stephanie’s point of view. Still sad, still unbelievable, but at least now we can put this narrative to rest. God Bless Stephanie Madoff Mack.

Excellent

Very insightful. Stephainie was very open and honest. Finished in one day. Her story is very Compelling. Incredible story of strength and building back your life after multiple tragedies and life altering events.

The Side We Don't See

No one, but Stephanie could have read this book. It was a true insight to what we don't see on the news reports and gossip columns. It was well written and well read. Thank you STEPHANIE for sharing your story.

There's two sides to a story

This story opens the other side of the Madoff scandal. We see how the media and rumor can present a compelling tale but half truths as fact. It's not just about hurt feelings but the consequences of Bernie Madoff's crimes plus everyday people judging without knowing the facts. Stephanie Madoff Mack gives us a view from her side of love, grief, family and challenges that will go on for the rest of her and the families lives. Her story pierces the heart.

Like talking to a friend

Listening to this book was like being on the phone with your somewhat catty yet well- meaning girl friend. I honestly enjoyed hearing the Madoff story from her perspective. It felt candid and genuine.

A Tragic Story

Very insightful history of the Madoff family and the multiple and far-reaching ripples of destruction caused by Bernie Madoff.
This is Stephanie’s (the wife of late Mark Madoff, Bernie’s son) experience from her perspective in her own voice. While some reviewers complain that her voice is nasally, her narration gives it greater intimacy, including when she mimics Ruth Madoff’s voice and demeanor.

Time and again, we hear stories of people being shocked when someone takes his own life. More research and especially public education is needed to help both the people with this pernicious and cloaked disease and family members, in order to reduce the outcomes of suicide.

What is a shame is that no one even knew that Mark worked hard for over 20 years to create his own successful business, completely separate from his father’s dealings. No one, except perhaps Ruth, had any idea what the stoic and reserved patriarch was doing. Once it was revealed to Mark, he immediately went to the authorities.

As a result, the many complex feelings and relentless heart-wrenching familial, professional, and financial traumas and loss that even extended to his young children’s and wife’s lives caused his major depressive disorder. Such traumas change the brain.

Lastly, I noted some reviewers being resentful of the success that Mark and Stephanie had before the Event. I believe it is important to lay the blame and anger where it belongs: solely on Bernie Madoff.

Great listen!

Sad but true! Loved her voice and felt her pain. Worth a listen to a story you thought we already knew.

Enlightening look into family dynamics

Where does The End of Normal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good listen, ranking about in the middle of my audio library of books.

What does Stephanie Madoff Mack bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Having the author read her own book adds a level of emotion that wouldn't necessarily have been there with another reader. I could hear her emotions behind the words.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several very sad moments, one when her husband's body is found, another when Bernie told his sons about his fraud.

Any additional comments?

Living on the other side of the country, we did not get the intense press coverage of the scandal that the family did after the news of the fraud broke. The intensity of it was a surprise to me, and I felt the author's pain of having to live through it. The lack of honest communication in the Madoff family was also a revelation. All in all, a book worth listening to.

Different angle on the Madoff story

It started out well enough. The tempo remained consistent. I was done in a day. Thank goodness. This was a self-serving means to smear as many people has she could, hoping the titillating smudges carried. They only went so far. Detached from all sense of reality, the author eventually pulls her character together as a pretty unlikable, unpleasant and unhappy woman who, should have played her a different hand, would have probably written a similar book of the same thread. Interestingly, she sets herself apart from the Madoff family, when I found her completely compatible with their characteristics. It rather reminds me of a couple of recent publications of other disgruntled people: Stephanie Grisham and Mary Trump.

Story made me want to choke many for her hurts

This book should be called 2 + years of choir, the beginning of our New Normal.

This story shows the undying love of a woman for the man in her life. It shows the disgusting treatment of a family, the destruction of trust within the family circle. I wish to one day meet Stephanie Mack face to face.. and give her a hug. she needs to take herself and her children and expunge the name Madoff from their names. Her children will NEVER gave peace. AND she needs to cut contact of the poisonous Ruth Adam, and Susan, Madoff's. for the sake of their sanity.