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

Everything is disturbing about this book...

...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.

Worth it to understand disconnection in suffering

A very intimate insight into the author's emotional fallout as a close victim of one the most incredible stories of deception of our modern times.
The story is told in a fiction-novel-like beautiful prose by Bernie Madoff's daughter-in-law, Stephanie.
What was most striking about listening to Stephanie's account is how she describes those in her inner circle whom she approves off, and those on the outside. Anybody whom is not part of her circle of trust is described as a two-dimensional character as if devoid of feelings and humanity. From that point of view, Stephanie is unable to empathize and/or understand's other's suffering, including the thousands of victims that were affected by her Father-in-law's actions. I felt that in the end, she could not even connect with her husband's suffering beyond the point of how she was affected by it.
I feel this book is worth the read because it is a lesson on humanity and how our suffering increases when we are unable to connect with the suffering of others.

Anger, spite, and a little out of touch

I feel terrible that she lost her husband. It’s a tragic story. But I get the sense throughout the book that she’s gravely out of touch with regular people in society who don’t have millions of dollars and multiple summer cottages at their disposal. Unfortunately, this book seems to be more about losing her opulent life than it does the tragic events.

Heartbreaking

My heart goes out to Stephanie and her family but her reading of the story is not good. Very monotone, doesn’t pause for punctuation.

Heartbreakingly beautiful and poignant.

A raw and honest account of the tragedy that unfolded at the hands of a horrible and evil person. Stephanie gracefully walks the reader through the joys and sadness of love and loss and the impact on those left behind. Lived forever changed but the love lives on. An important read in this day and age of self-centeredness and greed, what really matters and what can happen when one is bereft of morality.

Very good book

i laughed and cried tbroughout this book. i admire Stephanie Madoff Mack's tenacity and love she had for her husband Mark Madoff
. The strength and love for her two children was inspirational as well.
i was so glad that the author herself narrated it. it really is a must listen to.

Shakespearean tragedy

Fascinating story of how Bernie Madoff’s narcissism destroyed his family. Admired Stephanie’s tenacity and ability to go on loving and finding joy in life for her children’s sake. I hope she finds peace.

Not relatable

Sad story of a wife’s loss but it was hard to feel too sorry when she was recounting summers in Nantucket and Montauk; and jumping back and forth from homes in SoHo and Greenwich. Never acknowledging her high price lifestyle made it a little cringy. Nannies, yachts, St Bart’s etc. she made it sound like we all did these things.

Insight into the Madoff Family

Although it is really voyeuristic on my part, I have remained very curious about the Madoff affair, wondering how family members of Bernie could not have known. After listening to this book (and reading The Wizard of Lies), I now believe that family members did not know, and I could see how it all could happen.
I think Stephanie Mack does a really good job of setting it out in a believable, truthful way, and gives the reader insight into the Madoff family. It's hard not to feel bad for her - her life has been very difficult, and full of tragedy in the last 5 or so years.
If you are interested to understand more about how the Madoff fraud was pulled off so successfully, then listen to this book.

The End of Normal....... Seriously !

Actually enjoyed listening however there was NEVER anything "normal" about their life in the first place. Married into unbelievable wealth and supposed love, questionable. Agree with another reviewer, husband truly a wimp. Life is stranger than fiction really fits the bill with this one. Shallow & spoilt, therapists featured endlessly, often laughable. When the going gets tough this family implodes, making this an epic case of money is the root of all evil. Found it all amusing, more like the end of prestige, wealth and a whole lot of lies.