The End of Normal

...the story, the authors point of view and behavior,(the previous reviews :) -- and yet, I still listened to the entire book and found it interesting.

Unfortunately, the author chose to narrate the book. Her voice is nasal and annoying.

I will give the author credit for not making herself a heroine. She comes across as a very difficult person who behaves selfishly many times.

The book presents a skewed view on the exposure of Bernie Madoff. This author flatly says that the two sons exposed their father, but other accounts I have read of the affair have described the investigation differently.

One does develop a sympathy for Mark Madoff and the sad end to his life, but other than gaining insight into the what propelled him to take his own life, the book does not add much information to what is already known. Most everyone in it, including the author, appear to be rather shallow, mean, and materialistic.

I couldn't stop listening. When I hear news story's I always wonder what the reports don't show. This audio show's part of what the media didn't show us. Good Luck to you Stephanie Madoff Mack.

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.

When your very name becomes a swear word.
When this crime came to light, it was very easy to relate to the victims, but I never even thought about the family as victims. This book serves it's author's purpose as a eulogy
to her husband, Mark Madoff. It is a little uneven and some sections are repetitive. But in grief things do tend to go around and around.
For the most part the story is well written, giving details of a very charmed life. Just a beautiful happy family, good jobs, precious children, lovely homes, the American dream, until the day it was just torn apart. Stephanie has written from the heart (and not always to her own credit) about how one begins to cope or not when the the worst has happened and then continues to happen, in public and there is nothing you can control at all. Stephanie does an incredible job reading her own story.

Well worth the listen.

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.

I would listen again as the story Stephanie tells is very fascinating. Unfortunately, her children will pay the price for their father's business choices and his suicide.

The description of Mark Madoff's suicide was chilling.

She seems very honest and her emotions really come through in her story telling.

Yes

I wish Stephanie Madoff well as she raises her children on her own and tries to put this awful tragedy in her past.

This is a difficult book to listen to. I feel so sorry for this poor family, all members of this family. My heart goes out to Stephanie's kids the most. Yes, Bernie Madoff abused all around him. There is no doubt. All suffered because of his greed. However, a worse abuse to children is having a father abandon them through the act of suicide. This is a far graver offense though I can not judge what emotional turmoil Stephanie's husband endured. Our public, our media is cruel. It's all so tragic. I can't imagine how Stephanie has endured. I hope she and her children find peace.

Very few facts about Bernie & his scam: check. Self-obsessed artsy gadabout: check. Wicked ex-wife: check. Disfunctional wimpy husband: check. Most adorable children ever: check.
In this indulgent "memoir" Stephanie Whoever discovers "Mr. Right" complete with fishing gear just as she's about to pass the big 3-0. When her candycane world comes shattering down, blame Bernie & Ruth, but throw enough morsels to say you "tried" to understand. Try to draw sympathy by telling every agonizing moment you and your husband spent together---especially with the "wicked ex-wife witch & kids" interfering at every opportunity. Sorry, Steph, but plenty of people don't have $100 to spend, let alone have to ask permission. Well, I guess we'll see her & Oprah together next. Hey, maybe she'll score a car.

Audio all the way

Stephanie ... her strength

Her emotion in her voice. You could feel her strength as well.

What happen to the children in this family is a travesty let alone what Madoff did to the country. Stephanie did good writing & reading this.