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Audiobooks > Biography & Autobiography >  Personal Memoirs > The End of Normal: A Wife’s Anguish, a Widow’s Sorrow
The End of Normal: A Wife’s Anguish, a Widow’s Sorrow Audiobook, by Stephanie Madoff Mack Play Audiobook Sample

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3.00064748201439 out of 53.00064748201439 out of 53.00064748201439 out of 53.00064748201439 out of 53.00064748201439 out of 5 (3.00) - 1,529 customer ratings
The End of Normal: A Wife’s Anguish, a Widow’s Sorrow Audiobook, by Stephanie Madoff Mack Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Stephanie Madoff Mack Narrator: Stephanie Madoff Mack Publisher: Penguin Audio Audio Length: Release Date: October 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781101540251
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Publisher Description

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.

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Story Rating: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Sharon, 1/4/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Jill, 11/16/2021
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Story Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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! "

    - N2alot, 5/22/2019
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Susan, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

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

    - Julie, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Lauriann, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

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

    - Mbstrongman, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Sad story of a family trying to survive. "

    - Janet, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Jule, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Unlike some of the other reviewers, I felt that Stephanie Madoff was a sincere, loving person. The book seems to be an honest attempt to explain how one's entire world can be destroyed in an instant because of greed and self--deception. I felt great compassion for her and appreciated her courage to not just survive, but to live both for herself and for Mark's children. "

    - Janet, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Tatiana, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

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

    - Joella, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Marianne, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Laura, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

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

    - Aimee, 10/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

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

    - Nilla, 7/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

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

    - Nicole, 7/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Well written. I loved her brutal honesty. "

    - Lin, 6/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Elizabeth, 6/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - JanB, 4/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Darcy, 3/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Angel, 3/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Karen, 1/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Ellatnaples, 11/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " 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!!! "

    - Amy, 7/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Allyce, 3/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 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. "

    - Margaret, 11/3/2011