The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club) - Wally Lamb

The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)

By Wally Lamb

  • Release Date: 2025-06-10
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,141 Ratings

Description

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?

Reviews

  • How hate can cause lifelong problems

    2
    By CapDug
    This could have been a great story if the author had left out the politics especially the comments about Donald Trump. I appreciated the story but believe it was not necessary to add those political comments. Did they add anything positive to your very well written story of C & E and their twins. No, but maybe help the reader to see what “stinking thinking” can do to positive thought processes vs. negative thought processes. Which ones help positive growth and which one’s hider and may cause severe problems. It’s as if you’re speaking out of “ both sides of your mouth, “ look at history to see the unfair & heinous treatment of the Native Americans, etc. but not really look at the hateful comments about specific people you don’t like or hate. These actions don’t help to deliver a reasonable response but, I believe discredit the author’s integrity. Please keep writing your fantastic stories Mr. Lamb, but please leave out the hateful political statements. Thank you for listening.
  • A great page turner!

    5
    By Squaw Valley, Ca
    Outstanding! Couldn’t put it down and had it finished in a day and a half. Love his characters. The story is gripping and sad, yet ultimately triumphant! Wally Lamb makes me cry like no other author! Loved this book!
  • A heart breaking story I couldn’t put down.

    5
    By kittyship
    One of the best books I have read in a while. Storyline, character development and just a well written book. It drew me in from the very beginning and held my attention all the way through to the end. I highly recommend it!
  • The River Is Waiting

    5
    By Traveler Children
    I loved this novel. Wally Lamb is one of my favorite writers. This story is heartbreaking at times, but also a testament to hope and love.
  • Unnecessary political comments

    3
    By 4 girlsmom
    I really enjoyed the story, but I was very disappointed that Mr. lamb had to inject politics into the story with his dislike for the current president.. I have read a majority of his books, but none recently until this. I probably won’t waste my time in the future if this is what he will be doing. Very disappointing….and if asked by many friends who read, I will let them know.
  • Masterpiece

    5
    By sharky 2011
    It is a masterpiece
  • Unforgettable!

    5
    By sarahmorrill13
    I would give it six stars if I could!
  • Notice how I didn’t talk about how hard I cried reading this…

    5
    By MikeyPod
    I couldn't put this book down and absolutely loved it. Incredibly sad, but somehow this is the kind of story that I find really life-affirming. Even with all the darkness there were still vital pieces of connection and meaning with others. Out of the wreckage came sparks that let others learn something they might not have otherwise. I think this resonates so hard with me because I can relate to that idea of feeling like a lifelong loser and being stuck in the consequences of my actions no matter how badly I might have wanted to do the right thing. Still, his life had meaning and it brought meaning to the people with whom he connected. I am not putting this into words as well as I want to but I really want to remember this feeling. I so value the reminder that our lives and our choices often matter more than we will ever know.
  • Fantastic

    5
    By STENO97
    Fantastic!
  • Wow! So many layers of humanity in this book

    5
    By Agarfinkel
    I loved the raw emotion of a family that comes apart at the seams and then the journey of healing.