A New York Times bestseller, The End of Normal is the explosive and heartbreaking memoir from the widow of Mark Madoff and the daughter-in-law of Bernard Madoff.When the news of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme broke, no one was more shocked than the members of his own family. Before then, Madoff’s son, Mark, and daughter- in-law, Stephanie, had built an idyllic life. Yet, while Mark’s thriving … life. Yet, while Mark’s thriving business was entirely separate from his father’s now notorious fund, he and Stephanie found themselves in the eye of the storm—and grappling with their own sense of betrayal. Mark refused to see or speak to his parents, and on the second anniversary of his father’s arrest, he hanged himself.
Left to raise her children as a single mother, Stephanie tells the real story of her marriage to Mark, of being a part of the Madoff family, and of life for two years following her father-in-law’s arrest and incarceration. The End of Normal is a searing inside look at one of the most controversial stories of our time, and an extraordinary memoir of surviving personal tragedy amid public scandal.
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This book was interesting but I wasn’t very compelled by her story. I was curious to read this story since I remember the Bernie Madoff scandal but I really didn’t learn anything from reading this book. I would pass as there are other more compelling stories to read.
This book depicts the tragedy for the extended family of someone who fell from grace. It describes how the impact of an illegal by one individual could destroy those whose only crime was having the same last name of the criminal. “The sins of the fathers will be visited upon the children…” It also describes the impact of unscrupulous news reporter can convict the innocent in the eyes of the public. This is a worthy, though sad, read.
A glimpse into how the other half lives. While Madoff was definitely try for the sympathy vote, it was almost laugh to read about how the family felt they “lost everything” as she described the summers on Nantucket or at Montauk, or the trip to Disney World.
Utterly heart breaking! The evil of the father and the power of gossip and assumptions killed the son. Stress got the other one. Learned a lot about the Made-Off heist. The capacity to take advantage of others is overwhelming; let’s hope more so in a few than in most.
I think this was mainly a story about the author and her kids and how victimized they felt. Her writing style was such that a high schooler could have written this book. One issue that she and her husband were so worried about was having to file bankruptcy. But neither of them seemed to cut back on their spending and after the husband died, it appeared she and her children have lived the “high life”, sacrificing nothing including several million dollar properties! Bankruptcy for the rich must be radically different than bankruptcy for the rest of society! She never said whether bankruptcy happened or not and there were a lot of other areas where she brought up an issue and then let it go without any further explanation. I would not recommend this book.
It was okay
Excellent accounting of a life that should have been wonderful, but turned into a tragedy. I pray that Stephanie finds peace.
When I saw the news that Mark took his life I thought how tragic. I wondered how his family coped and now I know. Stephanie also details their life before and after Bernie’s arrest with devestating accuracy. Her story is an inspiration to anyone living through a hellish experience.
I had so much sympathy for Stephanie but also thought she was very brave in the wake of this tragedy. I’m so glad she wrote this book.
The author did a great job of telling the story of the Madoff from the inside. I was interested and horrified to read how Bernie’s crimes affected his family. I’m glad she told her story and honored her late husband.
A riveting account of how the Madoff scandal affected and ultimately destroyed son, Mark Madoff. Though not connected to his father’s crimes, he and his family paid the ultimate price by association.