The End of Normal

By: Stephanie Madoff Mack

Narrated by: Stephanie Madoff Mack

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

Riveting story of a family disaster

After Bernie Madoff became the most hated man in the world and by extension his sons were considered that too, the brothers created a rift between them when they should have stuck together. The narration was great as it was read by the author herself and she doesn't hesitate to reveal her feelings! Her husband is just as bad when it comes to dealing with a family crisis. He gave his mother an ultimatum either to divorce Madoff or he would never speak to her. The author handles her anger against her husband by smashing his iPhone. The author is very demanding in her life, but she wrote a good book!

Hard to listen to, so sad

This is a difficult book to listen to. I feel so sorry for this poor family, all members of this family. My heart goes out to Stephanie's kids the most. Yes, Bernie Madoff abused all around him. There is no doubt. All suffered because of his greed. However, a worse abuse to children is having a father abandon them through the act of suicide. This is a far graver offense though I can not judge what emotional turmoil Stephanie's husband endured. Our public, our media is cruel. It's all so tragic. I can't imagine how Stephanie has endured. I hope she and her children find peace.

Worth the read

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

There is nothing better than to hear the author read her own story.

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

Living with greed and its effect on mental health.

probably biased but fascinating listen

The truth of the Madoff story will not be known for decades. Stephanie Madoff Mack tells a personal and very difficult tale from her own perspective and experience. I enjoyed listening to this book and feel very badly for all the people whose lives have been so very damaged by the actions of Bernie Madoff.

Very moving & revealing story

I loved the honestly in this book. This is a very touching story of love & loss. Highly recommend.

Crisis of Identity

Stephanie - a thoughtful and vulnerable glimps into your life. Interestingly I am reading this in December and can’t even imagine the sense of loss you feel each holiday - in those idle moments alone. The Madoff story leaves so many questions unanswered, but one thing for sure is that there was an absolute crisis of identity with Bernie and thus his entire family and work confidants shrouded in the false belief that jeopardizing family is to “protect family”. I’m reminded of how each of us sometimes - often times - fall for the artificial-ness of assigning our identity to our vocational success when all the while our true identity has nothing to do with those outward symbols. I keep wanting to read one more chapter in your book called “the return of normal” where you live in a middle income simple neighborhood far far away from the easy coast. Where you enjoy pizza nights with your family, long walks and where your biggest worry is your cell phone bill. That’s my prayer for you. Thanks for being bold for your family and for Mark. He would be proud.

Love her story

Love her story, I must admit there were numerous times she was much more gracious than I could have been.

A Tale Of Total Dysfunction

Stephanie Madoff Mack's husband is recently departed. The Madoff business is destroyed and the family is a hot bed of hate. However there are still family parties, plenty of shopping plus trips to the theatre and spinning classes!

If I was a member of the Madoff clan I would be furious as no-one came out looking good with the exception of this book's author. This family was filled with jealousy and anger before and after Bernie Madoff's downfall.

This is not a memoir, more of a expose. I have absolutely no idea who was guiding this author but they did a poor job. WHO ON EARTH SUGGESTED THAT SHE SHOULD NARRATE THIS BOOK? Good grief, all I can so is "No, No, No".

With that being said I do feel compassion for Stephanie Madoff Mack as her description of her husband's suicide is heartbreaking.

In retrospect, and this is just a thought, perhaps this book would well be worth a second listen with a new narrator.

Honest and genuine

Despite the amateur narration I really liked this
Memoir it was very honest and sad. The author doesn’t waste time painting herself like a heroine or anything like that she tells her painful story despite any light it may put her in. The story kept me listening and all of the details were very interesting
Definitely worth a listen

Great book...did make me sad...

I thought this was very interesting and binged-listened to it in one day while I went on a walk,cleaned and more. I enjoyed hearing her perspective yet am devastated by the whole mess with Bernie. He ruined his life and his children's and his grandchildren's.