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The River Is Waiting

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The River Is Waiting

By: Wally Lamb
Narrated by: Jeremy Sisto
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About this listen

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER

#1 New York Times bestselling author Wally Lamb, celebrated for two prior Oprah Book Club selections, returns with an exceptional third pick, a propulsive novel following a young father grappling with unbearable tragedy as he searches for hope, redemption, and the possibility of forgiveness.

Corby Ledbetter is struggling. New fatherhood, the loss of his job, and a growing secret addiction have thrown his marriage to his beloved Emily into a tailspin. And that’s before he causes the tragedy that tears the family apart. Sentenced to prison, Corby struggles to survive life on the inside, where he bears witness to frightful acts of brutality but also experiences small acts of kindness and elemental kinship with a prison librarian who sees his light and some of his fellow offenders, including a tender-hearted cellmate and a troubled teen desperate for a role model. Buoyed by them and by his mother’s enduring faith in him, Corby begins to transcend the boundaries of his confinement, sustained by his hope that mercy and reconciliation might still be possible. Can his crimes ever be forgiven by those he loves?

©2025 Wally Lamb (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt

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All stars
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An excellently paced book. Thought provoking, heartbreaking and incredibly engaging.

I willed an incredibly flawed character to find his way. He did, even in the most ironic way.

Heartbreaking but beautiful

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Brilliant depiction of the aftermath of an unfortunate moment, and the consequences on a family.

Corby is a well-developed and complex character. His relationship with his wife, Emily holds lots to be explored and discussed. The relationships he develops in prison were interesting. Very well-plotted with a good pace. This is an enjoyable novel, despite the heavy subject matter: grief, death, alcoholism, drug abuse and the exploitation of those more vulnerable.

I highly recommend this novel!

A deeply reflective, powerful novel

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Really found this book interesting and very well written. Very sad story and makes you ruminate to what terrible things happen in some people’s lives

Excellent narrator. Gripping story

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Great story. Heartbreaking but beautiful. Brought me to tears. Definitely an award winning boo. A must listen xx

Beautiful and sad

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From the first sentence I was hooked- the narration was superb. But I ended weeping for what the book portrayed.

This is without doubt the best book I have ever listened to

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A moving listen of suffering and redemption
Corby will stay with me forever. I will now read the book
A wonderful listen

Wally does it again Thank you

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At times this was an uncomfortable listen - always staying with me between listens. Moving and believable - Wally Lamb's writing has never been better.

Outstanding

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I have always struggled to find books that really grab me, even more so since I developed debilitating brain fog.

I first discovered Wally Lamb many moons ago when I read 'She's Come Undone', a book that has always stuck with me. I have since read all of his books, and have thoroughly enjoyed them all, despite them all being so very different.

I came across this by chance as I didn't know that he had released another, and oh my goodness, what can I say?

I am not going to divulge details of the story incase I spoil anything, but I will say this....

Mr.Lamb has the ability to create characters that are so complex and broken yet beautiful. He makes unlovable people that you learn to love, despite their flaws.... He does all of this without sugaring them up, You get the grit and the raw side of humanity.
When you finish, you have to take time to yourself to absorb, and missing characters when the book is done, is the sign of a great book, as I am missing them now.

Thank you Mr. Lamb for the gift of a book I have been unable to put down......I am now off to rebuy all the others.

Another Beauty From Wally Lamb. I 100% recommend this book.

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loved it from beginning to end Brilliantly written .Very sad but also realistic .One mistake changes many lives .

it was an amazing story

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