The End of Miracles

A Novel

By: Monica Starkman

Narrated by: Jane Oppenheimer

The End of Miracles is a twisting, haunting story about the drastic consequences of a frustrated obsession. A woman with a complex past wants nothing more than to become a mother, but struggles with infertility and miscarriage. She is temporarily comforted by a wish-fulfilling false pregnancy, but when reality inevitably dashes that fantasy, she falls into a depression so deep she must be hospitalized. The sometimes-turbulent environment of the psychiatry unit rattles her and makes her fear for her sanity, and she flees. Outside, she impulsively commits a startling act with harrowing consequences for herself and others.

This emotionally gripping novel is a suspenseful journey across the blurred boundaries between sanity and madness, depression and healing.

International Book Awards 2016 Finalist for Literary Fiction

Recommended by American Library Association

©2016 Monica Starkman (P)2017 Monica Starkman

Emotionally powerful and deeply engaging

Would you listen to The End of Miracles again? Why?

Yes. Monica Starkman is an artful storyteller, and in Jane Oppenheimer's well-paced narrative voice, "The End of Miracles" receives a moving reading of Margo Kerber's pain and longing and ultimate self-discovery. I think there would be even more to learn and discover in subsequent readings.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Margo herself -- because of her complex psychological states and the nuanced characterization she receives through the author's skill and deep knowledge and the narrator's rendering.

Have you listened to any of Jane Oppenheimer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

If you could rename The End of Miracles, what would you call it?

I like the name very much and wouldn't change it.

Any additional comments?

"The End of Miracles" follows one woman's trajectory of despair and hope as she attempts to fulfill her wish to become a mother.

Emotionally Captivating!

The End of Miracles immediately caught my attention when I read the blurb. As one who has dealt with miscarriage and infertility, I wanted to gain perspective on how Starkman would tackle such a difficult issue and make it relatable and entertaining for listeners. I believe she did just that.

The main character, Margo had her heart and mind set on motherhood. Due to several failed attempts at IVF her hopes are diminished and leads her down a path of temporary insanity.

What I love about this story is that it isn't far off. It isn't over the top or unrealistic. When we are faced with heartache, sometimes it causes us to snap and act out of our fear and hurt. When Margo was given the news after her last doctor's appointment, I felt it. I identified with the pain because I'd been there. Nothing about this story seemed to be fiction. It was taken right out of the pages of my own life, up to a point of course.

Through Margo's breakdown, I began to share in those moments of regret, pain and sorrow. I reflected on the reasons why I wanted to be a mother and what made that so important to me. My story in that aspect isn't like Margo's but it did help me identify some of my reasoning. Margo's husband played a major role in that he was able to share his thoughts about Margo's breakdown and how, like many men, tend to hold in their emotions and not speak on them. I was glad to see that he took advantage of speaking to a therapist so he could deal with his loss and grief.

I don't want to tell the entire story, but I'll say this one is good for anyone who's had to deal with loss and to a point rejection. I am glad I was able to listen to this book and it gave me a sense of closure on my own miracles.

Jane Oppenheimer was excellent. She tapped into the emotions of the characters with ease as she seemed to have been able to relate to the MC. Her interpretation was believable and I've gained a new narrator to follow.

I highly recommend this book.
The Audio Flow Reviews

wow!

I think the end of Miracles can be the beginning of miracles! Must read! Miracles!

Gripping from start to finish

Starkman’s novel comes to life in Jane Oppenheimer’s narration of “The End of Miracles.” The narration captures Starkman’s lyrical prose and allows the reader to dive deeper into the mind of protagonist Margo through her euphoric highs and tragic unraveling. Thoughtful character development makes Margo a kind of complex female protagonist rare even in contemporary fiction. Listeners will find this audiobook difficult to pause, as each chapter leaves the listener eager for the next.

A harrowing story, well-read

I read Dr. Starkman's novel when it first came out, and found it equally moving and harrowing. Dr. Starkman gets so deep into Margo's psyche that I felt I knew the desperate protagonist well. That is excellent writing. The opening image of the babies pouring out of her mouth is arresting, impossible to forget. I also found Margo's ruminations on the miraculous development of her baby with every passing day deeply affecting. But I'm a happy adoptive mother: my husband's and my investment in our own reproduction was much less avid than Margo's. We just wanted to parent, so adoption satisfied our primary needs. It's a categorical mistake to wish something different for the protagonist of a novel, since she's not real! But I ached for Margo to be freed from her mania to reproduce, so she could love a child who desperately needs love. It's Dr. Starkman's talent and insight that make Margo's desperate longing and behavior believable and sympathetic, even for me. (The book I wrote about our adoptions is called Two Little Girls: A Memoir of Adoption.)

Jane Oppenheimer's reading of the novel adds dimension to Margo's voice. Excellent work.

Listen! (And know, as you do, that adoption can work for you! :)

What is the end of miracles?

What did you love best about The End of Miracles?

Starkman masterfully waded the deep waters of issues affecting women everywhere: Motherhood, friendships, career, exploitation and strike, suicide, abuse, criminal justice, and mental health.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Margo was a very real character. I felt like I knew her. She was created to be strong, yet fragile. She was multi-faceted and believable.

What aspect of Jane Oppenheimer’s performance would you have changed?

Jane Oppenheimer would not have been my narrator of choice, though the reading was clear and satisfactory. It sounded a bit like it was read by someone inexperienced with these issues. You know, the little nuances of expression that sound as if the reader knows?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, several. But, specifically, the moment when Margo met with the Mother of the baby. The struggle of nurses. The rift between Margo and her best friend.

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this heart-rending story of love, longing, forgiveness, and healing.

Psychological examination of infertility

Really detailed and interesting story of a couple facing infertility. Dr. Starkman has medical insight into the anxiety and depression that may accompany this.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that explores the mysteries of the psyche and it’s impact on our physical well being. It seems that anyone interested in medical and psychological subjects would find this book especially enjoyable.

A story of obsession (literary novel, suspense)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

i will recommend this audiobook. The story is interesting and well written. An actor/narrator can enhance the listening experience or distract from the story, ruining the experience. This narration is well done.

What did you like best about this story?

This is a familiar story premise but The End of Miracles is notable because of the lyricism of the prose and the nuances of the main character's (Margo) development. I found the story plausible and believable. The accuracy of the background hospital story added to my enjoyment.

Have you listened to any of Jane Oppenheimer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't.

If you could take any character from The End of Miracles out to dinner, who would it be and why?

None of them; I'm an introvert. Although, if I ever need a psychiatrist I would call Dr, Taylor. (I'm actually not sure if that is the doctor's name. The sound was a bit garbled)

Any additional comments?

This story is so beautifully written and the narration is so well done I intend to listen to it again.

A haunting story with great narration.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The author perfectly captures infertility and the destruction it wreaks on those in its path.

enjoy it once,enjoy it twice

Would you consider the audio edition of The End of Miracles to be better than the print version?

I rarely re-read a fiction a second time but this one painted a sympathetic picture of both a mentally ill patient and her therapist ( like myself) that was rare and refreshing. The possibility of hearing it aloud was welcome and not at all disappointing; in fact, it was dramatically satisfying to have it recreated and come so alive.The choice of reader was good and portrayed well the rational and irrational conflicts of the protagonist as she decompensated. The voice changes were convincing from both frantic "mothers" to the investigative cop. If there were a choice from the beginning I think I might have chosen this version of Starkman's great debut novel.

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

The protagonist's attempt at nursing the baby and his frenzied response and withdrawal.

Have you listened to any of Jane Oppenheimer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I'm relatively new to Audio books

If you could rename The End of Miracles, what would you call it?

Does wishing make it so? or Daddy's better wife.