The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)

I am a fan of Wally Lamb. He is an excellent writer and creates great characters. This was a very sad, dark story, but I got drawn in and could not wait to finish it (hoping that there would be some kind of redemption at the end after enduring so much sadness). The main character was such an enigma—so kind and wise at times and so foolish and immature at others. His wife was an unlikeable,albeit sympathetic, character who played the selfish victim card continually. The first portion of the book was compelling and set the reader up for what I thought was going to be a very riveting family drama, but the book evolved thereafter mostly into a story about his prison sojourn and the justice system.What did I think were the main defects?1. The author’s blatant political and social biases detracted from the story and its pacing. They were often literally shoehorned into the narrative and actually distracted from the telling of the story. Why do fiction authors think readers want to be weighed down with real world issues they read fiction to escape?2. The ending. I felt like the ending was a cop out. Not only did the reader not find out if there was redemption and reconciliation post-release from prison, the ending was hurried and even darker than what the reader had been enduring.3. The title. This may sound picky, but an author whose prior books bear titles that are creative, quirky and very memorable comes up with a bland title that no one will remember. How many books already have “River’ in their title and how many use rivers as tropes and symbols? Way overused

"She's Come Undone" is my absolute favorite of Wally Lamb's books, but this one is a very close second. The book was gut wrenching and heartbreaking. Mr. Lamb has a way of getting you inside the head of his characters like no other. I can't stop thinking about this book. it’s probably going to be my top read of 2025.

Thank you Wally Lamb for finally writing a new book. I started this book but had to put it down for a bit because the story was so hard to process. I picked it up again and then couldn’t put it down. Wally Lamb is such a masterful writer. One of the best books I have read in awhile and yes I cried my eyes out!

As so many others have said, I could not put this book down. I’ve read so many novels in my lifetime but I don’t recall ever sobbing at the end as I did reading The River is Waiting. I finished it this morning and 15 hours later I’m still thinking about it.Beautifully written, masterfully constructed and a stunning character study, Wally Lamb, you have outdone yourself. I didn’t think you could outdo She’s Come Undone but you did! I love both novels so much. Thank you for an unforgettable read.

I was captivated from Page 1. What a beautiful, sincere, and honest novel. I wanted a different ending, but what a tribute!

There's a little too much going on here. Wally Lamb's "River is Waiting" is written with passion and depth but it may cover too much territory. There are at least three converging plot lines. The first is Corby's horrible "accident" that may be too unforgivable to allow the rest of the book to even work. Then there is Corby's life in prison. Lastly there is Corby's relationship with his wife and child. While they all are rooted at their origins they are distinct issues. I wasn't real satisfied with how this all ended. I think Lamb dug too deep a whole.Lamb lead a writing class at a Connecticut women's prison for many years and perhaps much of his inspiration came from that experience. In search of a vessel he created Corby and to get him to prison he created a horrific incident that lands him there.I honestly felt more of a voyeur than a reader as we go deep into the well of pain and suffering of all kinds from childhood trauma to horrific prison violence and much in-between. As a voyeur this felt a bit uncomfortable reading on. It felt somewhat like "A Little Life" which I did not care for. This is less exploitive but it has the taint.For me and some readers I want to feel bad for Corby but I don't and would probably enjoyed the story from his wife Emily's perspective more.

Wally Lamb is a master of writing great literature! Read every one of his books! You will be glad you did. This new book, the River is Waiting is a masterpiece. You may think you are not interested in this kind of story line. But, trust me, you will be hooked immediately! Thank you Wally Lamb for writing books that have many dimensions, interesting characters, and protagonists who are just like us human beings.

This book is a rare read indeed. You see the growth of the characters, especially Corby. Take a look at this book and indulge the characters even when they are not at their best. We are only human, and this walk in life is meant to enhance and better us.We are privileged to join in the journey of a man who experiences the very depths of grief and the tumultuous highs of life. This book is very present and helps to remind us of what we have experienced recently and how we made it through our own journeys.Do not harshly judge Corby, but for the grace of God, any of us could have/or may have walked his path.

This book is so very powerful that I cannot find adequate words to describe how deeply I have been affected by hi Mike oluj said. it. First of all, there's no putting the book down. It captured my full attention and interest from page one and never let up. Corby is an I forgettable character who finds his true self even in a most horrific environment. All for the sake of love he suffers bravely, maintaining his integral humanity and dignity. If you're on the fence about reading this masterpiece of not, get it and be positively changed. It is truly worth buying.

This book was heart wrenching, heart breaking, infuriating, and unputdownable. I’ve always been a fan of Wally Lamb’s but he has outdone himself with this masterpiece. My new favorite book of all time. An absolute must read!

I discovered Wally Lamb's work at the age of 17 and he has remained in my top 3 favorite authors. He captures your attention quick and you can't put the book down till it is finished. His work stays with you though and it stays with you for forever. I warn you that it will probably make you ugly cry but I promise that it is worth it. He does put books out quickly like some authors and you feel the thought and consideration that he puts in every word. The River is Waiting has touched me just like all of his books. He is still the GOAT.

This was my first book by Wally Lamb, though I know he’s written some powerful works before. I went in mostly blind after reading the blurb, which is how I like to approach books—and wow, this story really pulled me in.The book follows Corby, a father of twins who hits rock bottom, battling addiction and mental illness. A tragic event leads to him serving three years in prison, and most of the story unfolds while he’s behind bars. While there, you see him reflect, grow, and try to come to terms with his past. The themes of grief, forgiveness, and healing are strong and incredibly real.Corby’s journey is heartbreaking. He doesn’t agree with his wife’s decision to keep their children away, and the story explores how fractured relationships can be when trauma and addiction are involved. The narrative also introduces stories from other inmates, which I felt could have been developed a little more—but Corby’s arc was compelling enough to carry the weight.By the end, I was absolutely gripped. My heart was racing—I couldn’t put it down. It was emotional, raw, and gut-wrenching in the best kind of way. I was wholeheartedly rooting for Corby and left the book reflecting deeply on how our choices impact the people around us.⚠️ Trigger Warning: This book covers heavy topics like addiction, mental illness, grief, and trauma. Please take care when reading.If you're looking for a powerful, emotional read that makes you feel and think, this one is worth the journey.

Very well written. The subject matter is treated with sensitivity and caring. The ending seems a little rushed but overall a great read. It was hard to put down.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!! First I never give a book a five star rating and then I ask myself why not. I don't really have an answer to that. But if emotions released has any correlation between that and a star rating then I have to give this book a five star review. I have read all of Wally's books and of course pre-ordered this book and the day it came out is the day I started reading it and I just finished it this morning. Here I am hysterical crying. Not just crying, but weeping just gutterly weeping. My brother, my best friend, my everything died almost a year ago and I don't quite know yet if this book has made my grief stronger or if it has helped me with my grief. So if tears shed has any reflection on cleansing, then OK, I'll give it to "has helped" and so goes the five stars. Wally Lamb certainly knows how to connect his readers to the plot to the characters to the storyline, etc.. I will say without totally throwing a spoiler alert out that the twist towards the end of the book just brought me to my knees. It came out of nowhere unexpected and as such I was a little angry with that twist, but this is the author's prerogative and not for me to critique. Although I still ask myself, why did this have to happen? What did the story gain from this happening? And my only answer is to help me along with my grief. So thank you Wally for another outstanding fabulous read. I have not cried for my brother in a few months because sometimes I'm so afraid of the tears. Thank you for reminding me of the gift of tears!

This story starts off with a bang in the first few chapters. It is so well written you almost feel like you are the main character, Corby. Prison life is very well depicted, even though it was a little drawn out.The author shows Corby being moralistic in taking blame for his actions and not trying to get out of a prison sentence by lying about his actions that led up,to it. He also shows this quality in trying to help others that are in the system and treated unfairly.The ending was unexpected, as you wanted Corby to conquer all, get released from prison and go on to a decent life. But it ended on a positive note anyway.Good book Wally Lamb!

I simultaneously read and listened to The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. Both the read and the narration were exceptional. Jeremy Sisto narrated and he voiced the main character, Corby, with perfection. That being said, this was a very intense, emotional read, and the subject-matter may be triggering for some. It was a tragic story about a decent man who made a terrible mistake, and paid the price in many ways. It is also a commentary on our justice system, and would make for an incredible, thought-provoking book discussion, even though it is quite long. I highly recommend this read if you are prepared for the emotional rollercoaster ride. However, despite the recommendation, I am very disappointed in the ending, and the reason I deducted one star.

This was a painful book to read. It begins with the protagonist making a mistake which would probably not have led to a prison sentence but for the fact that he was intoxicated at the time. The rest of the book describes his time in prison, where he faces personal struggles ---with his guilt, his addictions, and his fear he won’t be able to put his life back together--- and his struggles with surviving in the prison environment where no good deed goes unpunished. Despite the distressing themes, there is much I liked about the writing. The depiction of the impact of addiction on both the protagonist and his family rang true to my own experiences with addictions. References to the painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and the poem by W H Auden on the fall of Icarus are beautifully integrated into the story and make a strong point about how unlikely we are to know ---let alone care--- about the intense suffering of others.

Wally Lamb is a first rate craftsman of the written word. His characters are flawed, difficult, heroic, endearing and totally human. His tales are impossibly difficult even as they draw us into them and inspire us along the way. The River Is Waiting is a heart wrenching story of a “perfect” family dealing with unimaginable tragedy. It is also the story of the prison system in the United States—at times horrifying enough to make one put the book aside. This one is a must read for book lovers. Expect to cry, have difficulty breathing, laugh a little and sigh often. For me this is one of Wally Lamb’s greatest.

This is a very well written story! It is the first book of Wally Lamb’s that I have read, but it will not be the last,The book’s plot has it all; joy, grief, strength of character, hope, deliverance, and fortitude. It is the story of a family whose lives are ripped apart by tragedy, and how all of the characters react to that stress and the cost that their grief and the consequences of their actions bring.The cast of characters are brilliants wrought-believable and relatable. This was a book that kept me up late reading and yet, I did not want the story to end…..

Wally Lamb’s “The River is Waiting” is one of the better novels I’ve read in a while.It’s the story of Corbin (“Corby”) Ledbetter, a graphic artist deeply in love with his wife, and the proud father of twin toddlers. The Ledbetters have all the makings of a happy family. But then Corby causes a tragedy, turning everyone’s life upside down and earning himself three years in state prison. Like a modern-day Job, he loses just about everything and everyone important to him. Prison being one of the least likely places to gain redemption, will he ever be able to find his way back to anything resembling his former life?Mr. Lamb has created an enthralling, character-driven story. No character is a hero or a villain—no one is all-good or all-bad. All are deeply human. And all are in conflict, both internally and with each other, over what Corby has wrought.I found parts of the story gut-wrenching, especially the beginning and the end. Other parts were thoroughly absorbing. Mr. Lamb knows how to research and writes completely and convincingly about the subjects he chooses to address. Addiction and sobriety, criminal justice, prison systems, and psychology and counseling are some of the topics he tackles here.A caution for some readers: Mr. Lamb writes from a decidedly progressive viewpoint, especially when it comes to the issues of race and “the white patriarchy.” Those who find such views objectionable may wish to look elsewhere for their next read.But those who enjoy works like Stephen King's "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" or Jeffrey Archer's "Prison Diaries," or films like "The Hurricane" or "The Last Castle" probably will find much here to absorb them.I know it's a book that I'm not likely to forget any time soon.