Despite the terminal boredom of this self-absorbed book, your analysis was RIVETING!!! If 'This Is Our Story' does NOT qualify as a veiled autobiography, what in the world does?? Your graphics are so brilliantly done & easy to follow, Chris. Enormous thanks for your invested time. 💜 🇦🇺
The Unconscious Autobiography of a raging Unaware Narcissist. She is a CLASSIC. Word for Word, Wendi tells us exactly who she is through these characters- 3 aspects of Wendi. And boy-o boy😮 Narcissism... It's ALL image control, Facade Management....surface tension, SUPERFICIALITY on wheels!! And, Wendi honey, thanks for the exposition of exactly how you felt about Dan and why this whole thing ended up as it did. Clear as Day... I knew I didn't like her...at all. Now I know why. Ty❤
Fascinating! Although Wendi may never be (deservedly) imprisoned, it's nice to imagine that her life is forever constrained by the public knowing *exactly* who she is and what she has done.
That’s what I was thinking the whole time… who made the decision to force it on them (and why)? She’s not a good author and the book is so shallow and reads like a bad (anti)romance novel… why make the students read it?!
This is the epitome of "taking one for the team" - what a GREAT video! Thank you for plodding through that mess to see the themes of our favorite (?) narcissist, Wendi. Bless you and FYI, longer videos like this are most welcomed!
Ooh, this was a treat; a nice, long, video from you, Chris! I haven’t read her book, and I don’t think I’d want to. Lily/Wendi both seem to be pretty dull and self absorbed. Yeah, it’s sounds semi-autobiographical. Please, as time and energy allow, give us longer videos. I found it very easy to follow along, even though I was busy with other things, and couldn’t actually see much of it (headphones on). I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. Happy New Year! ☺️
Oh wow. I got up before anyone else this morning, How exciting to find a new Guilty Words AND it's over an hour. I sat alone with a thunderstorm, fresh pot of coffee, and a new Guilty Words. What a nice nice start to a Saturday morning. This may be one of your best, but then I say that almost every time. PS already listening for the second time.
Soon, quiet groups of interesting and intelligent people will gather at random street corners to discuss exactly when they discovered this TH-cam channel and how long they have been subscribers in this quickly growing community....
Thank you, Chris! Imo, she was not ready to have children with Dan, and was pressured into it and naturally, became resentful. Then I read the “book” and it confirmed my belief. Couldn’t agree with you more on her desire to practice law where she could stand out in her “altruistic”ways and be soak up all the attention she could ever get. Ironically, she mentioned in the book that she could care less about her clients, I think it was in one of the damn foot notes, which again, proves my and yours point of her choice of law practice. Cz we all know, she doesn’t have an altruistic bone in her body. Not even a splinter. Thanks again, Happy Holidays!
Yikes. Wendy really pulled the curtain back to expose her ultimate plan to escape Dan and dump the children on her parents. Chris I hope you didn’t have to invest $ in that book. It’s a terrible read but also so revealing who Wendy is.
Wendy is very unlikable in my opinion so no wonder she writes a book full of unlikable characters. Wendy is so oblivious to reality. I think she has gotten by in life from her looks, her family and maybe book smarts. She has no street smarts or even awareness of anything outside of her bubble where she is the center. Just my impressions. I could be wrong but I don't think too much.
I appreciate you doing this "Cliff Notes" work on this book because I have not read it, have no interest in reading it and certainly won't pay a penny to purchase it if part of that penny goes to its author. The way Wendi lied/lies about the fact that it was written about her own pathetic life just adds on to all her other lies and misrepresentations of the truth. I believe she meant it to convey to her husband how miserable she was in her marriage to him and the life she had with him when he truly did love and care for her and was doing the best he could to make their relationship work because of the two sons he adored. I seriously doubt she ever really loved Dan at all and the only reason she had children with him - or anybody - was to elevate her standing with her Mom and Dad because Donna was very vocal about wanting grandchildren. Wendi also knew she'd have perpetual babysitters for her children via her parents and why her strong desire to live near them only intensified over time. She didn't want to be saddled with kids. And especially since Dan traveled often with his job and left her to handle them and the marital home. None of which should have been burdensome at all if she loved Dan and loved her sons. She is the most obnoxiously selfish person I've ever heard tell of and that self mindedness led her down a path to consider whatever options necessary to rid her life of Dan and his hold on her and the children. She was content with the thoughts of her parents raising those boys and didn't want Dan's input or interference in that at all. If she's not ever charged with conspiracy to commit Dan's murder, found guilty and imprisoned for the rest of her life, there won't be any justice for Dan Markel or his family and that she still walks free is an absolute travesty of justice, in my opinion.
Well done, Chris! Can you imagine trial attorney Georgia sitting down and reading this mess, pulling out all the nuggets? Thank you for going through the painful process and putting together the graphics and analysis. Exceptional presentation!
@angela Thank you! I have a feeling Georgia or someone on her team already has. Now that I’ve read the book, I find it strange that she only mentioned one or two phrases from it. I wonder if she’s holding out for Wendi’s trial….
Isn't it IRONIC that it is Georgia who cares about Justice and seeks that for victims and stands out for doing such a superb job (and I think is so classy and smart like 100% more that Wendi FIBBERS could ever be)
Chris, you are so spot-on. It is 2 in the morning for me, (South Florida, also), but I am hooked. Excellent analysis, as usual. All the best to you in the New Year, and thank you for all the time you have put into this. Just a grandma, soaking up your awesomeness!!!!
Thanks for taking one for the team! I loved your take on the book which I will never buy or read, I want to keep my hours of life! I don't mind the deep dives, they can be essential to examining a book this short.
Oooh 31 seconds in and I wonder if you’re going to come to the same conclusion as I did regarding the children (or rather one of the children)? Merry Christmas Chris!! ❤❤
Wendi turns out to be a clumsy, emotionless, untalented writer? I'm shocked! Shocked I say! 😂 Edit: she's a contortionist alright. Wendi twists and turns whichever way she needs to in order to never tell the truth nor be held accountable.
i believe the books in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series has witty footnotes sprinkled throughout the main text. at least the early ones do (haven’t gotten far into the whole series). but maybe that’s where Wendi got the idea of putting “funny” little asides and comments in footnotes, in addition to her law school experience… except Pratchett actually does it well lol
I find footnotes to be a real pain. Am I suppose to read them when I see the symbol or when I have finished the page? Just include the note within the text and give up trying to be clever! That's my view anyway.
Excellent job as usual Chris. I enjoyed this longer video. You have amazing insight. Thank you for reading the book, I don’t think I could have gotten past the first few chapters. Wendi gives a lot away about herself and her life in the book. The character Lily is Wendi, cold, selfish and narcissistic. Thanks again Chris 👏👏👏❤
You NAILED the type of public interest attorney Lily is. It's about their narcissism rather than altruism. I ran into that a lot when I did public interest work. Certain attorneys could be absolutely vicious to colleagues and even to clients if their ego was bruised in any way. And being told how great they were and how honorable their work was fed the narcissistic supply. Also, I love that you picked up on how Lily has contempt for "nice" people and condescends them. The interesting thing about that is that it's documented that the Adelson four (Donna, Harvey, Charlie, and maybe Wendi too) mocked and criticized Rob Adelson for doing the right thing and called him "Honest Abe" but not in a nice way.
This book sounds absolutely dreadful. It has to be Wendy semi-consciously projecting her perception of herself and her life into a heroic stance, but instead she is showing herself to be a selfish, shallow harpy. I await the sequel where Anna, now grown, spends years and thousands of dollars in therapy. Honestly, from what you have described, I've read fanfic on the internet with better plotting and characterization. 🙄
As someone who drafts legal briefs all the time, my first thought when u said footnotes was why in a fiction novel? It’s weird. You covered it tho- bc her way is the best way always apparently
@Regnbeans I agree...why in fiction. I think Wendi was just trying to be clever with a device, like the diary format. But it didn't work. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Ok this may not be popular, so my apologies to the comment section.. I see Wendi as an unfinished young adult. She’s reached trophy status in all her academic endeavors through her parents’ carefully curated achievement-pathway, while being protected from all negative outcomes like failure, ridicule, isolation, unsureness & mediocre incompetence. I don’t think Wendi has ever truly “failed” and if she had, Donna would make sure it was someone else’s fault. I don’t think Wendi’s authentic-self has ever developed. Instead it’s replaced by her mother’s version of “Wendi-Potential”. So, Wendi had all these BIG feelings & pressures including: 1) balking at mothering kids with a man she didn’t love, with different values, and in a “hicktown” far away from support. 2) illuminating her identity through lauded academic achievements. The filament of her thin soul burnt brightest when she’s Best. 3) Jewishness passes thru the female line; her brothers’ children don’t count unless they had married Jewish women. She HAD to have children with a Jewish man. He HAD to be top pick. She has no choice in this. Yenta-Donna searched for suitors & found Danny, the Chosen One. 4) Proving her Jewish social-maternal excellence thru public acts of selfless goodness. I think this is the culture of the female role in Eastern-seaboard wealth & notable families. Immigration lawyer is perfect. The nobility of the cause outstrips its lack of pay. Who needs money when you’re shining the light on injustice and saving the world? So, sub-par outcomes to ANY OF THESE issues would make her a “C-minus” disappointment. Wendi would be mediocre.. which wasn’t allowed. In some way, I am sorry for Wendi. (I know! I know!) I wonder if she is “on the spectrum”, as she seems to play-act her role in life. Or if that just what happens when your mother completely inhabits your soul & self-identity. Wendi’s parents raised her in academic distinction; in achieving social superiority with smug excellence: a virgin valedictorian, best-in-class, smart, accomplished, top schools on scholarship. When the academic checklist was complete, they pressured her to continue the family (Jewish) lineage. It was like she was paraded as a blue-ribboned, best-in-show dog; then kenneled as a breeding bitch in a kosher milk-crate. A tough transition. Wendi never had a choice to “stray” like Charlie or Robert. SHE had to have the Jewish grandchildren. While she was groomed to be a modern educated woman, did she have ANY training in being a traditional wife? Did she babysit regularly? Work at children camps? Spend weekends with toddler nieces and nephews? Cook? Clean? Nurture? How many diapers had she changed? How many squalling infants did she comfort? Or did she excel in youth government, peer leadership and clerkships. (There are no awards for tolerating the drudgery of daily life.) So when Wendi’s tiny thin filament soul started to fray, starved of its accolades, she outsourced her incongruent emotions to the two most pathological family members (Donna-Charlie) who came up with a horrific solution that destroyed so many people’s lives. Wendi wouldn’t have killed Danny outright. No, but she vetched, exposing potential social fissures in an otherwise perfect tableaux.. and Donna wasn’t having that. What a fucking waste.
Very insightful comments.... I think Donna destroyed all of her children.... I'm not sure the role that Harvey played.... He seem to play the passive role..? By listening to Donna and Charlie's phone conversations it's very clear that Donna triangulated her children.... Something every narcissistic mother does...😮😢😢
@@astrialindah2773 Harvey is another compelling character. He is an only-child. So he subordinates himself to Donna as his MotherWife. Only-children develop close bonds with their caregivers, wanting to please them, and feel pressure to succeed. They lack critical skills b/c they don’t have peer-siblings to argue with during all stages of child-to-young adult development. If you listen to the recordings, Harvey rarely speaks.. but when he does chirp up like a little naked sparrow, he gets brusquely squashed by either Donna or Charlie. I don’t think Harvey has independent thoughts outside Donna’s sphere. Harvey provides the funding & financial building-block structure, and Wendi provides the womb for future generations in The Adelson Empire of notable dentists, doctors and lawyers. Charlie is the enforcer. And Robert is the one who got away. I haven’t fleshed out my thoughts further on Harvey, but when I found out he was an only child, I thought it fits. I don’t think there is much there to be honest in Harvey’s conscience. Oh, and Donna doesn’t speak to her family members. (Or more accurately, her son and her brother don’t speak to the family). That’s telling as well as a Donna isolation-tactic.
@saltpony wow I didn't know that about Harvey being an only child.... It fascinates me how family Dynamics work and I think that you're spot-on with all of it! I wonder if Harvey and Wendy are speaking to each other and what their relationship is like now?
This is on point! Made me think of her in the first trial, where imo shes the most pedantic. When she moved to Tallahasee she though she was a celebrity doing the rounds in Africa.
It's interesting that she compares Lily's shelter to a Barbie Dream House. One owns a Barbie Dream house and controls everything about it, including what the inhabitants do and say. And the inhabitants are inanimate objects that only look like people.
Lol...thanks @AJA. She doesn't 'hide' as much as she thinks she does. Video about creative writing piece she did about Dan's murder coming soon. Stay tuned!
The comment about the clerks at luxury stores acting in a way that irritates Lily's father shows that Lily's family is weathy. A middle class person such as myself wouldn't have the experience of being waited on by them because I wouldn't go into those stores. Maybe once, out of curiosity, but certainly not frequently enough to form an opinion.
And this abu5e of words was required reading for a course at FSU???? Really…..??? Poor students, that was awful 🤢. Thank you Chris, loved your reading and insights😍 Book was terrible, you as always were superb. Just wondering, did you see any of the trials?
A great analysis, and given the contents, i think this book would be relevant and admitted in as circumstantial evidence at her own trial. Wendi should be highly concerned to say the least.
@DrKnockbooze thank you! It would be great to see Wendi come to trial, but I don't know if she will. Although Charlie seems to be angry with her (on jailhouse calls) and he may turn. In the meantime, Donna's trial will be quite something!
@GuiltyWords I think she will. I think the state ( Georgia) has left clues, E.G the same/similar questions posed to Wendi in each trial, and since they already have the answers from an independent source, this strategy is employed to avoid potential Kastigar conflict due to her immunity. As for her role in the conspiracy, there's way too many coincidences that make it exponentially difficult to defend her as being just an innocent bystander. Happy New Year! 🎊🎊🎊
The sinful part is what she has done to her husband and her children. The sinful part was having an affair instead of ending her marriage first. The sinful part is that she looks down on and objectifies other people. There’s a whole bunch of sins that she has done/is doing/will continue to do.
Thank goodness you went through this and broke it down for us! Thank you!! 🙏 I’m a little under half and will be back for the rest. The footnotes 😆what in the world 😳. She’s a strange one yet thinks that of others always. 🤦♀️ didn’t something horrible happen to the ex husband? What a weird book and she wanted praise from it too. All hail Lilly, oops I mean Lillybillybear 🤭
I know the word ‘spas’ is prevalent- it is a derogatory term however for someone suffering from cerebral palsy. You use it a lot in your videos. Hope you don’t mind me flagging this. Thanks for your in depth videos. Very interesting 😊
It's SPAZZ, as in SPAZZ attack!! It's an 80's thing. Not 'spas' as in 'spastic'. And CERTAINLY NOT meant to be a slur at all, in context. It probably started as a derivative of spastic, but I am going to defend it as Chris uses it because it has enough of a history of it's own, because it is so perfectly descriptive of a behavior that may be driven by a devastating condition, or by a wave of mirth or generally losing the plot and running amok!! Please try to not want to control the world in order to control your triggers. That is an inside job. Young must be young.
@@sunnyadams5842 Thanks for clarifying something that I already knew. I’m not controlling anything, I’m leaving a comment in the comments section. Making an observation. Thanks for your reply 💐
@cazza-tea Oh no!! Thank you for pointing this out. I had no idea. To me it’s slang (spazz) for getting wound up about something. I will definitely try to catch myself before I say it. Great example of how language can change with time or location!
this is my first time here, and i appreciate the fact that you dont simply play a video, and tell us what the video is about to say, only to then play said video. rare (these days) you are able to evaluate a topic, develop your own opinions and conclusions and present these clearly. there used to be a name for this process. last thing ill say i appreciate your attempt to keep politics out, but its quite refreshing to listen to someone intelligent who isnt captured by the left. maybe youll say im wrong, but secretly we know im right xD
Your insight & interpretation was excellent as always. Question, is the book even interesting? It's snarky & rather elitist as you pointed out but also some of it was written kind of odd. For example, when talking about conceiving she said "I don't want to take care of someone pooping all the time let alone a baby" That sounds like 2 separate persons. Actually struck me as a bit funny. 😅
@roberta your question stopped me in my tracks. Here I did all this analysis, but I never asked myself that essential question. Sadly, it’s not interesting. It should be because of the topic, but it’s just too hard to get through the prose.
I adore your videos, your analysis and presentation are precise and fun! However the sharp “S” sound on this mic cuts through my brain and hurts my ears. I’m sure it’s a tech problem, you have a lovely voice, it’s just this is a rare problem for me, but very noticeable in this vid. Sometimes it’s hard to finish your videos, and I hate it because I want to listen! Just wanted to give you a heads up on the issue. Thanks for your great content 💖
I agree that a better microphone would serve the channel well. I use the Shure MV88+ kit for iPhone. It works great, and you can mess around with the EQ, parameters, stereo function, etc. the mic runs around $250.
Thanks for letting me know, @margarita! I have ordered a new mic (3rd time is the charm?). It’s a lapel mic so I’m hoping it takes care of the “s” problem and the volume fluctuations. 😁 thanks for your patience!
@postal you're very patient to go through it more than once. This is the longest video I've done on you tube. But there was so much in there! Guess what...she wrote more in a creative writing class less than a year after Dan's death, about the murder. Stay tuned for that one!
Thank you. You really brought out the bits we needed to know about. People often tell on themselves. Wendi's book seems to do just that. She reminds me of Meghan Markel. Both are a joke. We need justice for Dan. I sure hope Wendi is arrested this year. Happy New Year. 🎉
I can never remember my dreams, even the really wonderful ones, they melt away as soon as one wakes up, the more you try to remember them the more blank they become. Vanishing dreams. No way did Wendi remember the name of the moose. My theory is that the brain dreams in a section of the brain which is like a blackboard, which is regularly wiped, rather than a printed page or data on a hard-drive, so that dreams do not interfere with genuine memories of true events experienced in one's life. I have also noticed that when one dreams about real places, for example an imaginary event which happens in one's house or garden, or a place known to one, the dimensions and aspects are exaggerated, the rooms larger and the land more extensive and beautiful. That's odd because in a conscious state we can imagine exactly how these things are. So the brain when dreaming must be using a "database" for facts which is a different database to the one which stores real facts.
@tinary Love it! So well said! Guess what...she wrote more in a creative writing class less than a year after Dan's death, about the murder. Stay tuned for that one!
Thanks Chris, for doing all that reading for us, so we don't have to. It certainly sounds like it was an effort to get through! I found some irony in knowing that Charlie clearly hadn't read her book before or after Dad's murder, and if Donna had, she can't have understood her place in it and how much Wendi planned to use her family. How would Dan have felt when he read it? And why did he help to get it on FSU's reading list? Why would the Uni want their students to read such a badly written book? Having heard more detail about the book from you than anyone else, it's astonishing that they would do that! And remember in her writing class, on the podcast, she seems more upset about not being able to be at the launch of the book at FSU, than about Dan's death... now that sounds so Lily-like! I really appreciate your work. Happy holidays, from Bela (🦘🇦🇺).
Hi Bela! Hope you had a great holiday! I’m going to do a video on that podcast. In a later episode she talks about Donna, too. Praises her no end. I have no idea why they would make students read that book. There are better ways to raise awareness about the topic. 🧐
@GuiltyWords Thanks so much Chris, I really appreciate your thoughts and opinions of these peculiar people. Especially Sarah Boone, and her vile behaviour, whose expressions and use of English often confuses me. I hope there will be no more letters from her to address. 😊
@Jim thank you! You can ask anything. I was a high school English teacher for many years, a professional freelance writer (still), and currently I'm a senior instructional designer for a big corporation. Plus a true crime buff from way back. Somehow all that has come together in Guilty Words. My dream is that I could do this full time, but don't tell my boss! :-)
Thank you so much. Probably one reason I enjoy your videos, is I, too, was a high school English teacher. But I left after a few years. I think English majors become so drawn to true crime because we spend so many years analysing literature, looking for hidden meanings of everything. Great work!@@GuiltyWords
Despite the terminal boredom of this self-absorbed book, your analysis was RIVETING!!!
If 'This Is Our Story' does NOT qualify as a veiled autobiography, what in the world does??
Your graphics are so brilliantly done & easy to follow, Chris. Enormous thanks for your invested time. 💜 🇦🇺
This was so perfectly done! I love the longer video and your thoroughness. Thanks so much. 💙
The Unconscious Autobiography of a raging Unaware Narcissist. She is a CLASSIC. Word for Word, Wendi tells us exactly who she is through these characters- 3 aspects of Wendi. And boy-o boy😮 Narcissism... It's ALL image control, Facade Management....surface tension, SUPERFICIALITY on wheels!!
And, Wendi honey, thanks for the exposition of exactly how you felt about Dan and why this whole thing ended up as it did. Clear as Day... I knew I didn't like her...at all. Now I know why. Ty❤
I fully agree!
Best Comment!
Fascinating!
Although Wendi may never be (deservedly) imprisoned, it's nice to imagine that her life is forever constrained by the public knowing *exactly* who she is and what she has done.
And her children will know at some point, too!
When a Narcissist writes a book- no empathy, no depth, so disjointed. Really gives insight how they think.
@Salty, absolutely! She couldn't get any real emotion into it. Love your puppy pic, BTW!
Puffrr
Thank you for your breakdown of this book. I can’t believe this was forced on the students of FSU!
That’s what I was thinking the whole time… who made the decision to force it on them (and why)? She’s not a good author and the book is so shallow and reads like a bad (anti)romance novel… why make the students read it?!
@@sofiabreland5845 Not what you know, but whom, methinks
Reason book was successful is because ppl found her irresistible
I agree it’s really badly written. Impossible to believe it was forced on students at degree level.
@@sofiabreland5845bad romance perfect description.
This is the epitome of "taking one for the team" - what a GREAT video! Thank you for plodding through that mess to see the themes of our favorite (?) narcissist, Wendi. Bless you and FYI, longer videos like this are most welcomed!
Aww, thanks @LisaMW! So glad you like the longer format. I keep experimenting with the length. 😃
Great deep dive! Love this long form format!
Thanks, @whitehhe! Glad you like the longer format. I’m experimenting a bit with length. 😁
I love this channel. What wise and down to earth coverage ❤
Ohhhhhh I’m so excited that you are examining this book of Wendi’s. You are so awesome Chris!!!!
Ooh, this was a treat; a nice, long, video from you, Chris!
I haven’t read her book, and I don’t think I’d want to.
Lily/Wendi both seem to be pretty dull and self absorbed. Yeah, it’s sounds semi-autobiographical.
Please, as time and energy allow, give us longer videos. I found it very easy to follow along, even though I was busy with other things, and couldn’t actually see much of it (headphones on).
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season. Happy New Year! ☺️
You look so radiant, chris! That teal is great on you. Thanks for reading her book so I don't have to!!
Oh wow. I got up before anyone else this morning, How exciting to find a new Guilty Words AND it's over an hour. I sat alone with a thunderstorm, fresh pot of coffee, and a new Guilty Words. What a nice nice start to a Saturday morning. This may be one of your best, but then I say that almost every time. PS already listening for the second time.
Soon, quiet groups of interesting and intelligent people will gather at random street corners to discuss exactly when they discovered this TH-cam channel and how long they have been subscribers in this quickly growing community....
Random street corners like Discord and Reddit.
... Sarah Boone 😭🙏
That sounds amazing
No we won't. And her book is not relevant to the case.
Thank you, Chris! Imo, she was not ready to have children with Dan, and was pressured into it and naturally, became resentful. Then I read the “book” and it confirmed my belief.
Couldn’t agree with you more on her desire to practice law where she could stand out in her “altruistic”ways and be soak up all the attention she could ever get. Ironically, she mentioned in the book that she could care less about her clients, I think it was in one of the damn foot notes, which again, proves my and yours point of her choice of law practice. Cz we all know, she doesn’t have an altruistic bone in her body. Not even a splinter. Thanks again, Happy Holidays!
She didn’t publish a fictional book, she published her journal.
Love a long video from you. Excellent.
🎉🎉 I feel the same!
Me too!! Exciting!
I do as well 😊
Yes! Yes! Yes! Truly a holiday gift!!
@robyn So glad you like the longer length. I’m trying it out to see what people think. 😃
Yikes. Wendy really pulled the curtain back to expose her ultimate plan to escape Dan and dump the children on her parents. Chris I hope you didn’t have to invest $ in that book. It’s a terrible read but also so revealing who Wendy is.
Enjoy your content. Looks like your channel is growing, thats awesome!
@amy thank you! I am amazed and humbled by how much the channel is growing. Looking forward to 2025!!
Wendy is very unlikable in my opinion so no wonder she writes a book full of unlikable characters. Wendy is so oblivious to reality. I think she has gotten by in life from her looks, her family and maybe book smarts. She has no street smarts or even awareness of anything outside of her bubble where she is the center. Just my impressions. I could be wrong but I don't think too much.
You’re not wrong at all!
I love these longer videos. If Wendy was abused by a family member, it might explain why she doesn't care what happens to them.
I am really intrigued by that detail too. It could explain (although not excuse) a lot. Glad you like the longer length. I keep experimenting! 😁
This was amazingly well put together!! WD!!!
Thank you, @Jeanne! Glad you liked it!
I’ll bet Dan was actually ashamed of this juvenile novel
Love your analytical take on this pointing out what is *missing*, rather than just describing what is in it!
I appreciate you doing this "Cliff Notes" work on this book because I have not read it, have no interest in reading it and certainly won't pay a penny to purchase it if part of that penny goes to its author. The way Wendi lied/lies about the fact that it was written about her own pathetic life just adds on to all her other lies and misrepresentations of the truth. I believe she meant it to convey to her husband how miserable she was in her marriage to him and the life she had with him when he truly did love and care for her and was doing the best he could to make their relationship work because of the two sons he adored. I seriously doubt she ever really loved Dan at all and the only reason she had children with him - or anybody - was to elevate her standing with her Mom and Dad because Donna was very vocal about wanting grandchildren. Wendi also knew she'd have perpetual babysitters for her children via her parents and why her strong desire to live near them only intensified over time. She didn't want to be saddled with kids. And especially since Dan traveled often with his job and left her to handle them and the marital home. None of which should have been burdensome at all if she loved Dan and loved her sons. She is the most obnoxiously selfish person I've ever heard tell of and that self mindedness led her down a path to consider whatever options necessary to rid her life of Dan and his hold on her and the children. She was content with the thoughts of her parents raising those boys and didn't want Dan's input or interference in that at all. If she's not ever charged with conspiracy to commit Dan's murder, found guilty and imprisoned for the rest of her life, there won't be any justice for Dan Markel or his family and that she still walks free is an absolute travesty of justice, in my opinion.
Totally agree with your opinion.
Takin one for the team, Thanks
Happy to! 😁
Well done, Chris! Can you imagine trial attorney Georgia sitting down and reading this mess, pulling out all the nuggets? Thank you for going through the painful process and putting together the graphics and analysis. Exceptional presentation!
@angela Thank you! I have a feeling Georgia or someone on her team already has. Now that I’ve read the book, I find it strange that she only mentioned one or two phrases from it. I wonder if she’s holding out for Wendi’s trial….
Isn't it IRONIC that it is Georgia who cares about Justice and seeks that for victims and stands out for doing such a superb job (and I think is so classy and smart like 100% more that Wendi FIBBERS could ever be)
Chris, you are so spot-on. It is 2 in the morning for me, (South Florida, also), but I am hooked. Excellent analysis, as usual. All the best to you in the New Year, and thank you for all the time you have put into this. Just a grandma, soaking up your awesomeness!!!!
Aww, Paula, thank you!! Happy New Year to you as well. I’ll be down in your neck of the woods mid-January. Hope it’s warm!
@@GuiltyWords It's beautiful, in the 70's, a bit cooler in the evening. Enjoy your trip!!
I love your content. It's very soothing for someone with ptsd (in my experience)
Thank you, @crochet lover! I understand ptsd all too well. Glad it helps. 😁
Thanks for taking one for the team! I loved your take on the book which I will never buy or read, I want to keep my hours of life! I don't mind the deep dives, they can be essential to examining a book this short.
Oooh 31 seconds in and I wonder if you’re going to come to the same conclusion as I did regarding the children (or rather one of the children)?
Merry Christmas Chris!! ❤❤
Wendi turns out to be a clumsy, emotionless, untalented writer? I'm shocked! Shocked I say! 😂 Edit: she's a contortionist alright. Wendi twists and turns whichever way she needs to in order to never tell the truth nor be held accountable.
I love that you read this for us! I can't stand her, but you are terrific!! 💕
@Lin happy to oblige! Video about creative writing piece she did about Dan's murder coming soon. Stay tuned!
@@GuiltyWords yay!!! 🎉
As @Emily D. Baker says, “I love a sassy footnote!” Wendi, however, seems to have zero sense of sass; she’s all snark and pedantry 🙄🤦♀️😂
I love Emily D Baker! And if Wendi’s footnotes had been sassy, I would have celebrated!
i believe the books in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series has witty footnotes sprinkled throughout the main text. at least the early ones do (haven’t gotten far into the whole series). but maybe that’s where Wendi got the idea of putting “funny” little asides and comments in footnotes, in addition to her law school experience… except Pratchett actually does it well lol
I find footnotes to be a real pain. Am I suppose to read them when I see the symbol or when I have finished the page? Just include the note within the text and give up trying to be clever! That's my view anyway.
I’ll have to check those books out. I’m not familiar with them. I think it could be used effectively by a good writer. 😀
Excellent job as usual Chris. I enjoyed this longer video. You have amazing insight. Thank you for reading the book, I don’t think I could have gotten past the first few chapters. Wendi gives a lot away about herself and her life in the book. The character Lily is Wendi, cold, selfish and narcissistic. Thanks again Chris 👏👏👏❤
@clarissa so glad you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for a video about Wendi’s account of Dan’s murder that she wrote for a creative writing class. 😁
This was so good and I have so much to say! I have to listen again!
Thanks, @maya! Looking forward to hearing what you think. :-)
You NAILED the type of public interest attorney Lily is. It's about their narcissism rather than altruism. I ran into that a lot when I did public interest work. Certain attorneys could be absolutely vicious to colleagues and even to clients if their ego was bruised in any way. And being told how great they were and how honorable their work was fed the narcissistic supply.
Also, I love that you picked up on how Lily has contempt for "nice" people and condescends them. The interesting thing about that is that it's documented that the Adelson four (Donna, Harvey, Charlie, and maybe Wendi too) mocked and criticized Rob Adelson for doing the right thing and called him "Honest Abe" but not in a nice way.
@maya thank you! I didn't know that about Rob Adelson...that is fascinating! Totally fits with the crazy dynamic of this family!
This book sounds absolutely dreadful. It has to be Wendy semi-consciously projecting her perception of herself and her life into a heroic stance, but instead she is showing herself to be a selfish, shallow harpy. I await the sequel where Anna, now grown, spends years and thousands of dollars in therapy. Honestly, from what you have described, I've read fanfic on the internet with better plotting and characterization. 🙄
lol! And Wendi has turned into Donna!!
Great video. Thank you for reading and analyzing this book for us. Happy New Year!
As someone who drafts legal briefs all the time, my first thought when u said footnotes was why in a fiction novel? It’s weird. You covered it tho- bc her way is the best way always apparently
@Regnbeans I agree...why in fiction. I think Wendi was just trying to be clever with a device, like the diary format. But it didn't work. Thanks for watching and commenting!
53:06. “…just like she can’t stop using footnotes…” Startled my own dog by my laughing at this comment. Well done.😊
@Periwinkle glad it made you laugh! Apologies to your pup! Give him a treat for me. 🦴
❤️
Thank goodness you are breaking this down, couldn't read it myself. The footnotes are rediculous ugh 😣
Slay!! Thanks for this
I think WA has the "psycho stare".
Manson lamps. 😳
Happy holidays!! May 2025 bring you the best. Thank you for your creative and interesting posts!
Great video!!
You made me realize something. Narcissists should stay far away from book writing. I don't know how you got through it. I did enjoy your analysis.❤
Thank you, Chris! I appreciate your unique analyses. Edit: This book was every bit what I expected from Wendi. Yikes!
You're very welcome!
Ok this may not be popular, so my apologies to the comment section.. I see Wendi as an unfinished young adult. She’s reached trophy status in all her academic endeavors through her parents’ carefully curated achievement-pathway, while being protected from all negative outcomes like failure, ridicule, isolation, unsureness & mediocre incompetence.
I don’t think Wendi has ever truly “failed” and if she had, Donna would make sure it was someone else’s fault.
I don’t think Wendi’s authentic-self has ever developed. Instead it’s replaced by her mother’s version of “Wendi-Potential”.
So, Wendi had all these BIG feelings & pressures including:
1) balking at mothering kids with a man she didn’t love, with different values, and in a “hicktown” far away from support.
2) illuminating her identity through lauded academic achievements. The filament of her thin soul burnt brightest when she’s Best.
3) Jewishness passes thru the female line; her brothers’ children don’t count unless they had married Jewish women. She HAD to have children with a Jewish man. He HAD to be top pick. She has no choice in this. Yenta-Donna searched for suitors & found Danny, the Chosen One.
4) Proving her Jewish social-maternal excellence thru public acts of selfless goodness. I think this is the culture of the female role in Eastern-seaboard wealth & notable families. Immigration lawyer is perfect. The nobility of the cause outstrips its lack of pay. Who needs money when you’re shining the light on injustice and saving the world?
So, sub-par outcomes to ANY OF THESE issues would make her a “C-minus” disappointment. Wendi would be mediocre.. which wasn’t allowed.
In some way, I am sorry for Wendi. (I know! I know!) I wonder if she is “on the spectrum”, as she seems to play-act her role in life. Or if that just what happens when your mother completely inhabits your soul & self-identity.
Wendi’s parents raised her in academic distinction; in achieving social superiority with smug excellence: a virgin valedictorian, best-in-class, smart, accomplished, top schools on scholarship. When the academic checklist was complete, they pressured her to continue the family (Jewish) lineage. It was like she was paraded as a blue-ribboned, best-in-show dog; then kenneled as a breeding bitch in a kosher milk-crate. A tough transition.
Wendi never had a choice to “stray” like Charlie or Robert. SHE had to have the Jewish grandchildren. While she was groomed to be a modern educated woman, did she have ANY training in being a traditional wife? Did she babysit regularly? Work at children camps? Spend weekends with toddler nieces and nephews? Cook? Clean? Nurture? How many diapers had she changed? How many squalling infants did she comfort? Or did she excel in youth government, peer leadership and clerkships.
(There are no awards for tolerating the drudgery of daily life.)
So when Wendi’s tiny thin filament soul started to fray, starved of its accolades, she outsourced her incongruent emotions to the two most pathological family members (Donna-Charlie) who came up with a horrific solution that destroyed so many people’s lives. Wendi wouldn’t have killed Danny outright. No, but she vetched, exposing potential social fissures in an otherwise perfect tableaux.. and Donna wasn’t having that. What a fucking waste.
Very insightful comments.... I think Donna destroyed all of her children.... I'm not sure the role that Harvey played.... He seem to play the passive role..? By listening to Donna and Charlie's phone conversations it's very clear that Donna triangulated her children.... Something every narcissistic mother does...😮😢😢
@@astrialindah2773 Harvey is another compelling character. He is an only-child. So he subordinates himself to Donna as his MotherWife.
Only-children develop close bonds with their caregivers, wanting to please them, and feel pressure to succeed. They lack critical skills b/c they don’t have peer-siblings to argue with during all stages of child-to-young adult development.
If you listen to the recordings, Harvey rarely speaks.. but when he does chirp up like a little naked sparrow, he gets brusquely squashed by either Donna or Charlie. I don’t think Harvey has independent thoughts outside Donna’s sphere.
Harvey provides the funding & financial building-block structure, and Wendi provides the womb for future generations in The Adelson Empire of notable dentists, doctors and lawyers. Charlie is the enforcer. And Robert is the one who got away.
I haven’t fleshed out my thoughts further on Harvey, but when I found out he was an only child, I thought it fits. I don’t think there is much there to be honest in Harvey’s conscience.
Oh, and Donna doesn’t speak to her family members. (Or more accurately, her son and her brother don’t speak to the family). That’s telling as well as a Donna isolation-tactic.
@saltpony wow I didn't know that about Harvey being an only child.... It fascinates me how family Dynamics work and I think that you're spot-on with all of it! I wonder if Harvey and Wendy are speaking to each other and what their relationship is like now?
@saltpony do you know anything about Donna's family up bringing when she was a child?
Quite simply the best assessment of Wendi that I have encountered. You nailed every stage of her stunted development.
Thank you Chris !!!
You’re discussions are insightful and on point!
Thanks!
@helen Thank you so much for such a generous gift! Much appreciated!
@ you are most welcome.
Thank you for a great analysis (and that you read the book so we don’t have to). ⭐️
Wow, this was an amazing DEEP DIVE. Thank you very much for such a fascinating analysis. This video is worthy of a PhD thesis!
This is on point! Made me think of her in the first trial, where imo shes the most pedantic. When she moved to Tallahasee she though she was a celebrity doing the rounds in Africa.
@lumaisah lol! Like Prince Harry and Meghan?
@ 😆like that
It's interesting that she compares Lily's shelter to a Barbie Dream House. One owns a Barbie Dream house and controls everything about it, including what the inhabitants do and say. And the inhabitants are inanimate objects that only look like people.
@stebu And actually, keeping your other comment in mind, Barbie Dream Houses are expensive toys, and not a lot of kids get them!
You are a hero! Thank you so much for reading this book for us. So many interesting points that seem to mirror Wendy's life.
Lol...thanks @AJA. She doesn't 'hide' as much as she thinks she does. Video about creative writing piece she did about Dan's murder coming soon. Stay tuned!
Merry Christmas to me!!!
lol! Glad you liked it!
A long video on a Friday night, 😌😬😬 time to clean. 🤣
Exact same over here 😂
lol! I have some cleaning of my own to do too! 😁
Happy New Year Chris! wishing you all the best in 2025! 😊🙏🏼
Weakest link contestant is nothing to be proud of imo.
lol! Agreed. I wonder how far she got?
The comment about the clerks at luxury stores acting in a way that irritates Lily's father shows that Lily's family is weathy. A middle class person such as myself wouldn't have the experience of being waited on by them because I wouldn't go into those stores. Maybe once, out of curiosity, but certainly not frequently enough to form an opinion.
@stebu That's a really great point! Nice catch!
Sounds like Wendy has split personalities 😮
Wendi seems a little manic in the psychological sense of the word after hearing Chris read some of these excerpts.
Of course she’s been on a game show. (Lori Vallow, Sarah Boone, Rodney Alcala)
@blue interesting point! I’d like to see a psychologist compare them!
And Donna too.
All I have to say is YAY!🎉😊
And this abu5e of words was required reading for a course at FSU???? Really…..??? Poor students, that was awful 🤢. Thank you Chris, loved your reading and insights😍 Book was terrible, you as always were superb. Just wondering, did you see any of the trials?
The writing is dreadful and the topic which could be gripping becomes dirty dishwater
Thanks for slogging through this drivel so we don't have to!
A great analysis, and given the contents, i think this book would be relevant and admitted in as circumstantial evidence at her own trial. Wendi should be highly concerned to say the least.
@DrKnockbooze thank you! It would be great to see Wendi come to trial, but I don't know if she will. Although Charlie seems to be angry with her (on jailhouse calls) and he may turn. In the meantime, Donna's trial will be quite something!
@GuiltyWords I think she will. I think the state ( Georgia) has left clues, E.G the same/similar questions posed to Wendi in each trial, and since they already have the answers from an independent source, this strategy is employed to avoid potential Kastigar conflict due to her immunity.
As for her role in the conspiracy, there's way too many coincidences that make it exponentially difficult to defend her as being just an innocent bystander. Happy New Year! 🎊🎊🎊
HIT THE LIKE! replay crew, tickle the algorithm 🎉
Thanks @Lin! I always appreciate viewers feeding the TH-cam monster!
@GuiltyWords good work deserves attention 💗
Not everyone is meant to be married, and there is no sin in that. Wendi is one of those people
The sinful part is what she has done to her husband and her children. The sinful part was having an affair instead of ending her marriage first. The sinful part is that she looks down on and objectifies other people. There’s a whole bunch of sins that she has done/is doing/will continue to do.
Hi again, @shoals! The world would have been a more peaceful place if she had stayed single. 😀
Thank goodness you went through this and broke it down for us! Thank you!! 🙏 I’m a little under half and will be back for the rest. The footnotes 😆what in the world 😳. She’s a strange one yet thinks that of others always. 🤦♀️ didn’t something horrible happen to the ex husband? What a weird book and she wanted praise from it too. All hail Lilly, oops I mean Lillybillybear 🤭
Yea- something kinda horrible...
Thanks for the insight into your personal pet peeves…
Next do Dinh Bowman jail tapes! 🤣🤣🤣
🎉Happy New Year!🎉
lol! Maybe I should do a special “cringe” episode. Dinh’s calls, Chad and Lori Daybell…
Love your work🤓👍🏼🍿
Thanks, @zippyjer! Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you for doing this on EVIL WENDI. When she gets arrested, that will be the day Dan Markel gets some justice
Happy Holidays ⛄🎄🙋🏼
You too, @Kawiboy! (a bit late) 😁
Delighted to see this gift in my YT Inbox lol
@jaynes you are very welcome!!! 😁
I am so sorry you had to digest this dribble. I have no words.
Great work!! ❤🇦🇺
Epic!!
Thank you, @annmarie!
I know the word ‘spas’ is prevalent- it is a derogatory term however for someone suffering from cerebral palsy. You use it a lot in your videos. Hope you don’t mind me flagging this. Thanks for your in depth videos. Very interesting 😊
It's SPAZZ, as in SPAZZ attack!! It's an 80's thing.
Not 'spas' as in 'spastic'. And CERTAINLY NOT meant to be a slur at all, in context. It probably started as a derivative of spastic, but I am going to defend it as Chris uses it because it has enough of a history of it's own, because it is so perfectly descriptive of a behavior that may be driven by a devastating condition, or by a wave of mirth or generally losing the plot and running amok!! Please try to not want to control the world in order to control your triggers. That is an inside job.
Young must be young.
I noticed this too a few times. Thank you for saying something!
@@sunnyadams5842 Thanks for clarifying something that I already knew. I’m not controlling anything, I’m leaving a comment in the comments section. Making an observation. Thanks for your reply 💐
@@janina873🫶🏻
@cazza-tea Oh no!! Thank you for pointing this out. I had no idea. To me it’s slang (spazz) for getting wound up about something. I will definitely try to catch myself before I say it. Great example of how language can change with time or location!
this is my first time here, and i appreciate the fact that you dont simply play a video, and tell us what the video is about to say, only to then play said video. rare (these days) you are able to evaluate a topic, develop your own opinions and conclusions and present these clearly. there used to be a name for this process. last thing ill say i appreciate your attempt to keep politics out, but its quite refreshing to listen to someone intelligent who isnt captured by the left. maybe youll say im wrong, but secretly we know im right xD
So glad you liked the video! Good old fashioned discourse in a modern setting. 😁Thanks for watching and commenting!
Your insight & interpretation was excellent as always. Question, is the book even interesting? It's snarky & rather elitist as you pointed out but also some of it was written kind of odd. For example, when talking about conceiving she said "I don't want to take care of someone pooping all the time let alone a baby" That sounds like 2 separate persons. Actually struck me as a bit funny. 😅
@roberta your question stopped me in my tracks. Here I did all this analysis, but I never asked myself that essential question. Sadly, it’s not interesting. It should be because of the topic, but it’s just too hard to get through the prose.
“We have our health”. has cultural connotations.
It does😂! I saw her imitating the bunches of NY Jewish women playing canasta around the pool in Florida . " ...and, Merv and I, we have our health."
I adore your videos, your analysis and presentation are precise and fun! However the sharp “S” sound on this mic cuts through my brain and hurts my ears. I’m sure it’s a tech problem, you have a lovely voice, it’s just this is a rare problem for me, but very noticeable in this vid. Sometimes it’s hard to finish your videos, and I hate it because I want to listen! Just wanted to give you a heads up on the issue. Thanks for your great content 💖
I agree that a better microphone would serve the channel well. I use the Shure MV88+ kit for iPhone. It works great, and you can mess around with the EQ, parameters, stereo function, etc. the mic runs around $250.
Thanks for letting me know, @margarita! I have ordered a new mic (3rd time is the charm?). It’s a lapel mic so I’m hoping it takes care of the “s” problem and the volume fluctuations. 😁 thanks for your patience!
Thanks, subrosa! I’ve noted the model and if the mic that’s coming still doesn’t cut it, I’ll invest in that one. 😁
You pack so much in I may have to give a 3rd play.
@postal you're very patient to go through it more than once. This is the longest video I've done on you tube. But there was so much in there! Guess what...she wrote more in a creative writing class less than a year after Dan's death, about the murder. Stay tuned for that one!
PS Love the dog pic!! So cute!
Just imagine how her boys will feel when they read this book😮😮
@astrial I wonder about her boys a lot. They are teens now I think. I hope they have some kind of support besides Wendi!
Thank you. You really brought out the bits we needed to know about. People often tell on themselves. Wendi's book seems to do just that. She reminds me of Meghan Markel. Both are a joke. We need justice for Dan. I sure hope Wendi is arrested this year.
Happy New Year. 🎉
I can never remember my dreams, even the really wonderful ones, they melt away as soon as one wakes up, the more you try to remember them the more blank they become. Vanishing dreams. No way did Wendi remember the name of the moose.
My theory is that the brain dreams in a section of the brain which is like a blackboard, which is regularly wiped, rather than a printed page or data on a hard-drive, so that dreams do not interfere with genuine memories of true events experienced in one's life.
I have also noticed that when one dreams about real places, for example an imaginary event which happens in one's house or garden, or a place known to one, the dimensions and aspects are exaggerated, the rooms larger and the land more extensive and beautiful. That's odd because in a conscious state we can imagine exactly how these things are. So the brain when dreaming must be using a "database" for facts which is a different database to the one which stores real facts.
As excruciating as the book is - it is written in Wendy's authentic voice - we just can't stand her voice.
@tinary Love it! So well said! Guess what...she wrote more in a creative writing class less than a year after Dan's death, about the murder. Stay tuned for that one!
@GuiltyWords oh yes - the late-x husband
40:27 She wants children to be good-looking, smart, and nice... in that order 😭🙏
Hi @ilikemitchdeberg! Happy New Year! Quite the priorities!
I hope her sons NEVER read her book, wondering if that's how she felt about them. 😢
I love your cute cup!
Thanks for reading this book so I don't have to😂
No captions means I'll have to watch later. DANG IT!!
There are captions for me- maybe it takes a while from upload?
I've got captions.
Hope the captions showed up!! They are supposed to!
Ain't no Bronte or Austin, or Elliot
Or Johnson or Jones
😊
Thanks Chris, for doing all that reading for us, so we don't have to. It certainly sounds like it was an effort to get through! I found some irony in knowing that Charlie clearly hadn't read her book before or after Dad's murder, and if Donna had, she can't have understood her place in it and how much Wendi planned to use her family. How would Dan have felt when he read it? And why did he help to get it on FSU's reading list? Why would the Uni want their students to read such a badly written book? Having heard more detail about the book from you than anyone else, it's astonishing that they would do that! And remember in her writing class, on the podcast, she seems more upset about not being able to be at the launch of the book at FSU, than about Dan's death... now that sounds so Lily-like! I really appreciate your work. Happy holidays, from Bela (🦘🇦🇺).
Hi Bela! Hope you had a great holiday! I’m going to do a video on that podcast. In a later episode she talks about Donna, too. Praises her no end. I have no idea why they would make students read that book. There are better ways to raise awareness about the topic. 🧐
@GuiltyWords Thanks so much Chris, I really appreciate your thoughts and opinions of these peculiar people. Especially Sarah Boone, and her vile behaviour, whose expressions and use of English often confuses me. I hope there will be no more letters from her to address. 😊
Forgive me for asking, but what is your educational and professional background that gives you such accurate insight into the cases you review?
@Jim thank you! You can ask anything. I was a high school English teacher for many years, a professional freelance writer (still), and currently I'm a senior instructional designer for a big corporation. Plus a true crime buff from way back. Somehow all that has come together in Guilty Words. My dream is that I could do this full time, but don't tell my boss! :-)
Thank you so much. Probably one reason I enjoy your videos, is I, too, was a high school English teacher. But I left after a few years. I think English majors become so drawn to true crime because we spend so many years analysing literature, looking for hidden meanings of everything. Great work!@@GuiltyWords