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

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.

Madoff's family values

I was disgusted most of the time listening to this story, yet it was so engaging and such a good testimony to the Madoff's family values. Son reporting his father's crime to the authorities and cutting off all the ties with his mother when she is in distress... Is not family all about unconditional love and support, no matter how bad the crime is or how devastating the impact? The attempt to convince the readers/listeners that the sons had no idea is laughable. Of course they knew, or suspected but chose not to admit to themselves. Being a part of the family and the business for 20+ years and not suspecting that numbers don't add up - impossible. The complains about the hardship of the life afterwards are ridiculous - how many Americans can pay several thousands to be able to run the marathon? Or hire a team of lawyers? Nothing in this story made me sympathetic, but it was very interesting to hear another side of the story, from a family member.

literally... don't judge a book by it's cover

Didn't expect this...
I loved the book and fell in love with Stephanie. I felt like she could be one of my friends and was sharing her story girlfriend to girlfriend. I actually looked forward to walking my dog, so I could hear more. Her story is brutally honest and raw. My heart aches for her and for the journey ahead.
I had my preconceived notions and judgments about the family, which I feel badly about now. The media twists things and distorts them, without proof, quite frequently. (Especially in our sensationalized 24/7 news ticker/ diarrhea blogosphere world.) Why did I buy into their opinion of the Madoff brothers? Regardless of your opinion about innocence and guilt... her story as a wife and mother deserves to be heard. Mark's story deserves to be heard.

very interesting and entertaining

I learned things about the Madoff Children that I never knew. It was a very easy listen and kept my interest through the entire book. I enjoyed it and it is worth a credit.

Greed Over Love. Money Changes Everything.

A poignant look into the affluent lifestyle Bernie Madoff created as a result of the largest Ponzi scheme Wall Street has ever known .Here is the entirely gritty, grisly and greedy tale of the" House of Madoff" from rise to fall, as seen through the tears and heartbreak of then daughter-in-law, Stephanie Madoff Mack.
A love story for the ages which parallels Ruth & Bernie Madoff's marriage, breech of trust and Madoff's oldest son, David, who met and married Stephanie unknowingly unaware of the evil that would ensue. A powerful patriarch who betrayed, not only the wealthiest of friend's, trusted clients, politicians and New York City's upper financial crust but close, immediate family members, not exempt even through bloodline.

The agonizing discovery which ultimately resulted in premature death by suicide of eldest son, David, who could no longer bare the shame brought on by his own father. The untimely death of his younger son, leaving the Madoff's family dynasty in shambles. The self excommunication of Ruth Madoff, who stands by her husband to this day, even though she was virtually left penniless. The innocent grandchildren too young to understand the depth of evil Madoff was capable of.

"The End of Normal" is concrete proof that "whatever comes around, goes around" and that conscience is a choice, not a virtue.

Loved this story

Money and what others think of of you isn't everything. What's important is love. This story tells the truth we all think we know,

Stephanie Madoff Mack narrates her own story, which added a magical touch to this sad, but addictive book.

Can’t believe all the negative reviews!

Why would you find her anything but persecuted? Seems to me that she is the only real person in that whole strangely bizarre family. Why is she condemned just because she has (had) wealth? Her husband was incredibly abused by the press, and he chose the only path he could stand any longer. I wish her only the best.
And, her narration was great, especially her imitation of Ruth. No actor could have done better. I’m sorry her story has ended.

It needs a different narrator.

The story is interesting and hard to leave. The author should consider a different narrator. She comes across as whiny and overly snarky. A different narrator may result in a more sympathetic audience.

Loved it!

I actually loved this book. A lot of the reviews said it’s boring or all about her but… isn’t that the point of a story like this? It’s her journey. Her story. She is very relatable and I commend that she truly wrote what she thought. Such a sad story and I’m so sad any of them had to go through that heartbreak. Worth the read!

Only if interested in Madoffs

Short book and from the point of view of Stephanie and her time with Mark Madoff. Not much else to learn other than her story. I thought it was a good addition to information on Madoff family and rings true. Very sad for Mark Madoff. Very sad.