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

Loved it!

What did you love best about The End of Normal?

I appreciated Stephanie's ability to be real and to not hold back details, nor emotion, when sharing her story. I'm grateful she narrated it, because I feel it made it more authentic and interesting. I was always eager to listen to more and was never bored.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The End of Normal?

This most powerful moment in the book was when she revealed the details of her trip to Disney World with her daughter, on the day of her husband's death.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A love story turned into a tragic death.

Any additional comments?

This has been one of my favorite audible books, because it is REAL life, which is something I appreciate in a book and an author. Thank you Stephanie for your courage in sharing your story.

Must read!!!

What an amazing, moving and heartbreaking story. Thank you Stephanie for sharing it with us!

To wear someone else's shoes

What did you love best about The End of Normal?

The insight into other people's lives and how you can live or be near to someone and not know the real them. Everyone is human, take away the money we are all the same.

What did you like best about this story?

Stephanie told it how it was, I was able to follow the story. So cruel that her husband and her children's father was taken from them that way, I really felt/feel for her and the kids.

What about Stephanie Madoff Mack’s performance did you like?

I think she told it how it was/is. Not sure how she was able to read her life to us and not break down every few paragraphs. I can understand her need to clarify the issues and accusations.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, its so 'real life' take away the money - families have these interwoven blending issues all the time.

Any additional comments?

really enjoyed it. wouldn't be surprised if its made into a movie - but Stephanie and her family may have had enough public exposure.
I would like to know more of where, how Bernie's upbringing, childhood - I feel its a leopard's spots don't change they may fade a bit but never change...

Ruth Madoff was a victim too

Stephanie Madoff Mack’s voice is grating as is her relentless attack on her mother-in-law, Ruth Madoff, for continuing to love her husband of over 50 years after his arrest, conviction and imprisonment. Love does not end just because a loved one does an unforgivable thing. Stephanie could have helped her family, and especially her husband, had she tried to rebuild Mark’s relationship with his mother, a relationship that was clearly critical to his mental health.

Not sure I believe this

This book is a voyeuristic view into how the other half lives. As much as the author wants us to believe her husband Mark wasn’t complicit in his father’s crimes, I find that difficult to believe. The family had to have some suspicions of his lying ways and sick core. The author wants to understandably distance herself from the Madoff’s (yet still uses the name on this book as the author).
She clearly places a lot of blame on Ruth (her mother in law ) and wanted her to divorce Bernie which just adds more to my feeling of disliking the author. Yes he’s a horrible heinous person but Ruth was with him since she was a teen. That just bothered me. I feel she used that as an excuse to not let Ruth see her kids and she could wash her hands of the Madoff’s.

Honest and powerful

The love, hurt, frustration and adoration for your family is palpable. Such an unfortunate situation and heartbreaking from Bernie’s decision to Mark’s. It’s an American tragedy. I hope this book has been therapeutic and many years later you and your family are doing well.

Stephanie’s Truth

I am so glad Stephanie narrated her book & I hope she finds peace and happiness.

Well done

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Stephanie did a great job of telling her story I would highly recommend.

Interesting

I did enjoy this book. I felt sorry for the writer at times due to the circumstances, but, I felt that she needed to truly understand how the public and the publicity of the well known crime. After Marks death I would’ve changed mine and my kids names in order to save face. Overall the story was good, sad, shameful, etc. it had everything.

Somewhat interesting, but dreadful narration

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.