The End of Normal: A Wife’s Anguish, a Widow’s Sorrow Audiobook

" The narrator talked too fast, needed to take a breath, no emotion in the story and hard to follow. I couldn't finish the book because it felt like she was on fast forward. "

" I read the book years ago and thought it was a great account of this side of the story. Still an intense, compelling read even after all this time. "

" The author gave a very good account of her and her husband's life immediately before the scandal hit the media and afterwards. She show vividly how her husband struggled with the tragedy and the impact it had on her and her family. I can only imagine how hard it was for her to write her book. It's one thing to write about someone else, or to write a novel and yet another to write about an event that destroyed your life and broke your heart. Well done Stephanie! "

" This is an interesting read. However, after finishing it, I am not totally convinced that the Mayloff family was as unknowing as they say they are. "

" It was fascinating to see her point of view. "

" When Bernie Madoff fell from grace I was immersed in the process of moving from PIttsburgh to my current home, a distance of 500 miles. Current events took second place to packing boxes and complete chaos. When I saw this book on the library shelf I seized an opportunity to review what that crisis was all about through the eyes of a young mother, Bernie Madoff's daughter-in-law Stephanie, rather than through complex Wall Street lingo. As I began, I had the same feeling I get when I catch up on People Magazine in the hair salon. Call it "Economics Lite," but it worked. I got the gist. Stephanie Madoff suffered enormous anguish and loss when her young husband Mark, son of Bernie, took his life because he could no longer bear the accusations and insinuations that were the fallout of his father's evil deeds. In the end, I judged Mark to be free of any guilt of involvement and I believe he was an unsuspecting victim along with so many friends and relatives who lost money to Madoff's unbelievable 69 BILLION dollar Ponzi scheme. In simple terms, in this book Stephanie put her relationship with the Madoff's on a timeline, an interesting one at that. Hers was a compelling and heartbreaking story. One could only say, "What if?" to a a hundred different scenarios that might have prevented a suicide, scenarios where Mark may have been able to project into the future and imagine that happiness could be his one day. The horror of suicide, the terror of publicity, the ripple effect of an evil deed, it's all there. I think the writing could have used some editing, as MANY details did not ring true. As an example, and this is nit-picking, Stephanie had enrolled in a pastry-making course as a young woman. On a day that she was assigned to mix the ingredients, the cake came out a dreadful color and was so inedible that everyone spat it out. Stephanie explained, "As soon as I bit into my piece, I realized what I'd done. The recipe called for five cups of salt and ten cups of sugar. I'd reversed them." Even if she hadn't reversed them, this would have been inedible. WHAT recipe would have five cups of salt to ten cups of sugar? Did she mean five teaspoons of salt?? The reader will never know. Other observations: As much as Stephanie Madoff tried to be humble about her "class situation," as compared to the Madoff's, the details of her wealthy upbringing made her humbleness seem disingenuous. Also, there was an element of cattiness towards members of the Madoff family that made the reader quite certain that there are two sides of this coin. "

" Now I know the story about the Madoff family. "

" Sad story of a family trying to survive. "

" I read this book, like most would, because of a curiousity about a man like Bernie Madoff and the family who really never knew him. I thought it was an interesting read, and while the author is somewhat self-absorbed who wouldn't be in that situation. One hopes that she 7 her children go on to a happy life and new relationships. "

" It was hard to feel sorry for the author in the beginning when didn't know the pain she went through when her own life and marriage suffered because if somebody else's actions. In the end a good authentic story and a great writer. "

" A touching memoir by the wife of Bernie Madoff's son, who committed suicide after the scandal of his father's crimes were publicized. "

" Surprisingly well written. B. Madoff's daughter tells the story from her perspective and it is fascinating to read the her version. Heartbreaking any way you look at it. "

" I listened to this on audio and could not put it down. It is read by the author and there are many moments when you can hear her heartbreak coming through. It's not necessarily a book I would recommend people rush out and read but if you enjoy non fiction audio books, it is worth a listen. "

" I found this book sad. What devistation, wonderful read "

" Fantastic account of the emotional distress the wife of Bernie Madoff's son had to endure after his arrest. "

" Easy, fast read. I love inside scoop & she delivers. "

" Well written. I loved her brutal honesty. "

" Way better than I expected! It explained the whole Madoff thing to me, which I hadn't followed so I wasn't all that up on it. Kept me sucked in. "

" Fascinating quick read. While I'm sure it was unintentional, Stephanie portrays herself as mean-spirited, selfish, and self-centered. Unfortunately, the children are the victims of this dysfunctional family. "

" Best memoir I've read in years. It's a great reminder that often times families' of criminals end up as collateral damage. A different perspective from what we heard & read in the news. "

" I enjoy the way this book was written and I did actually enjoy it. That doesn't mean I feel sorry for Stephanie or that I now have a different view of the whole Madoff situation. If anything it makes me think of just how out of touch with reality these people really are. "

" I hope that Stephanie and the kids continue to find the strength needed to move forward. She did a wonderful job of telling their story in the mist of so much controversy. "

" I really liked this book. I hadn't followed the case very well so it was not only informative, but I enjoyed Stepanie telling her story. "

" I loved this book! I love that Stephanie was the Voice for husband. I love that she told his story! I love that no matter what she put her children first! Madoff was her last name but Madoff she is NOT!!! "

" Seriously, heart-wrenching. I great memoir by a brave woman. A personal look at the devastation that the Bernie Madoff scandal caused. Kept my attention until the very end. "

" I'll read anything about Bernie Madoff; it was OK. not great. She feels like a spoiled child from the Upper East Side (sorry - not feels, *is*.) But what happened to her was no fun. He really screwed up. And screwed a ton of people on the way. "