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. This story starts off in chapter one with a horrific, tragic accident, caused by Corby, that catapults this family into life shattering heartbreak. In the beginning chapters of the book we discover this man’s acknowledgement of what he has done, acceptance, and then his consequence which is a life prison sentence. We then follow him in prison as he navigates this new normal, we follow him as he bears witness to acts of brutality but also small acts of kindness and a kinship with a prison librarian who sees his light. He develops friendship with some of his fellow offenders, including a tender-hearted cellmate and a troubled teen desperate for a role model. This ultimately is a story about acceptance and self forgiveness after a mistake that would feel to anyone, impossible to move forward after.

So this book was high on my summer reading list. This is one of those books that, for the most part, I am happy exists, because of the light that it sheds on a wider scope of humanity, including those who have done terrible things, but are still trying to find forgiveness reconciliation and a way to move forward. I thought that having a book set primarily in prison and showing a full life of someone who has spent so much time there, was smart and I appreciated that this author wanted to demonstrate the hope and humanity using this setting.

Ultimately, I didn’t end up loving this one. I thought that more could be done to not make this book feel so redundant. I did like that there was found family, but something about this one just felt a little bit dry and repetitive. On top of that, we have a white author that is using a lot of of harmful language and slurs that, while I know are a part of this community and culture, felt untactful coming from a white author in 2025.. the writing could have demonstrated that culture in a different way.

Ultimately, this is one of those books that I’m actually not regretful that I read, and I think that there is some merit to the story and what the author was trying to do here. But I also had some pretty serious criticisms of his writing and narrative voice. Would I recommend it? Maybe! I think that there is a lot to discuss here and it could make for a great book club book, but it’s not one that I would necessarily recommend widely, no.

This story revolves around a father, a wife, a daughter and a son who are twins, and a tragic accident.

When the accident occurs, his life is forever changed, and for the rest of his life he will never be the same.

He is sent to prison.

This is a story of how this changes their family, and the way it affects the father, Corby, whose life will change drastically, but one he tries desperately to repair.
The way that it affects the mother and their daughter when he is sent to prison is heartbreaking. The way it affects him is through the torture given by others.
The hope that at some point, he will be able to return to his wife and their now one and only child.

While this has dark moments, and there are several, there are also moments of redemption, of friendship, of hope and love.


Pub Date: 10 Jun 2025

Many thanks for the opportunity to read Wally Lamb's 'The River is Waiting'

THE RIVER IS WAITING by Wally Lamb

The River Is Waiting is a heavy, gut-wrenching read that doesn’t let you look away. From the start, a devastating tragedy—one that is entirely the main character's fault—sets the tone for a raw and emotional journey.

This is Corby Ledbetter’s story: a father of twins, out of work, quietly drowning in addiction, and hanging by a thread in his marriage. When the worst happens, he’s sent to prison, where the story shifts from domestic tragedy to an exploration of guilt, punishment, and the faint glimmers of redemption.

Corby’s journey behind bars is filled with pain, but also unexpected grace. He meets people who challenge him, support him, and ultimately help him begin to face the wreckage of what he's done. While we never hear from his wife Emily directly, her presence and grief loom large over the story.

Themes of guilt, forgiveness, addiction, marriage, and justice are handled with sensitivity and grit. It’s the kind of book that begs for a book club discussion and earns every emotional moment it delivers.

Thank you to @netgalley and @marysueruccibooks for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I was eager to read another novel from the author of She's Come Undone. Immediately we're back in the sturdy voice that has made Lamb famous. We're right in the middle of Corey Ledbetter's life as a frustrated artist and primary caregiver to his boy/girl twin toddlers. This is rarely a comfortable place to be, When tragedy strikes, as the result of Corey's own decisions, his life implodes, We follow him through the wreckage as the narrative unfolds. The strength of this novel is the singularity and immediacy of Ledbetter's voice. Unfortunately, this is a long ride with a largely unsympathetic companion. I felt the length of this one and while I will always love the "voicy-ness" of Lamb's writing this was a voice that rang too loudly in my ears.

Wally Lamb knows how deliver a story. This is harrowing and horrible and yet I couldn’t put it down. A little overwriting and over explaining but forgiven as it demonstrates the character’s anxiety.

I AM SOBBING. This is the saddest thing I have read in years and I loved it so much. Grab an entire box of kleenex and copies for all of your friends.

I’ve been sitting on this review because the book made me a little mad... First things first, I hope the hard copy has a trigger warning. I’m a reader that doesn’t need triggers ever, but I can only imagine how hard this would be for a large portion of readers. Overall though, there was great detail and insight into the penal system. It was especially interesting to see how relationships and power struggles develop in such a hostile environment.

While well written, I never connected to any character. They all had flaws and glimmers of goodness, but not in any way that I could relate to. I sympathized with so much, but also was just exasperated a good portion of the book.

I think what really made me angry though was the ending felt like an “easy out,” **slight spoiler, but also not** instead of exploring the post-prison struggles Corby would face between his family and his demons. Either give us the happy ending or a messy complex one, not whatever the hell this was. It was just too convenient a way to tie things up. It wasn’t even slightly satisfying. We spent like 350+ pages working through complicated relationship dynamics and then it’s like the author realized he had to wrap up his already long book quickly.

I know Lamb is a well loved author, and I did enjoy his writing, but this plot was just not for me. If you’re a Wally fan, just proceed with caution and be prepared for a rushed conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon Element for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

One of the BEST books I have EVER read. I devoured this in 2 days. The story and writing is exceptional and the ending was the best.

I am a longtime Wally Lamb fan, having read every published work, and I recommend one of his titles consistently to family, friends, and students. The River is Waiting was a deeply tragic, somewhat hopeful novel that reminded me of what Lamb does best. The character of Corby was difficult to engage with, for much of the novel, even up to the end, he was petulant, self-centered, and unable to take true responsibility for his actions. By the end of the novel, I began to see that differently, but I really felt like the ending was rushed. The jump from part 3 to 4 was jarring, and I wish that there were more attention there.

Wally Lamb has once again delivered a profoundly moving, emotionally rich novel in The River Is Waiting. With his signature empathy and insight into the human psyche, Lamb takes us on a journey that is both heartbreaking and redemptive—an unflinching examination of guilt, forgiveness, and the weight of consequence.

The story unfolds with a quiet but powerful intensity, centering on a protagonist whose choices lead to a devastating tragedy. Lamb draws readers deep into his emotional world, forcing us to sit with the raw sorrow, remorse, and aching hope for something like redemption. The writing is so intimate and textured that you don’t just read the character’s grief—you carry it with you.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the way it gently but insistently raises the question: Is prison truly the right consequence in every case of wrongdoing? Lamb never offers easy answers, and that’s what makes the book so compelling. Instead, he invites readers to examine the limits of our justice system, the complexities of intention versus outcome, and the possibility of transformative justice. The novel doesn’t excuse the pain caused—but it does ask us to consider whether punitive measures are always the most humane or effective response.

The only reason this isn’t a full 5-star review is that certain narrative threads, especially toward the end, felt slightly rushed—perhaps in an effort to tie up emotional arcs that were more powerful left open-ended. Still, that does little to diminish the overall impact of the novel.

The River Is Waiting is not an easy read—but it is an essential one. It challenges, it devastates, and, ultimately, it lingers. Lamb reminds us that healing is neither linear nor guaranteed.

This story will stay with me forever.

4.5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb makes you feel all of the feels. One minute it’s gut-wrenching and the next it is hopeful. It is like taking an insider’s tour of an American prison, and you wish you could escape it.

What I Liked About The River is Waiting:
I love reading about prison life! Corby, the main character, is incarcerated, and this story offers an almost day-to-day immersion into the realities of American prison life. Lamb, the author, shows how corrupt our prisons can be, and yet, he also portrays characters that show you there is still good in the world. I believe he balanced characters well. He not only included the inmates but also portrayed the COs and the people that work inside a prison effectively.

This is a thought-provoking book. You can’t help but wonder what you would do in Corby’s situation, but also in the mind of Emily, his wife. How far can a spouse change your life until you aren’t willing to forgive them? I had to put this book down frequently to think about what just happened. Sometimes I cried, sometimes I wanted to shout, and sometimes I wanted to hug the different characters. There is no doubt that Lamb is truly gifted in creating believable characters in his books.

Of course, I also loved that parts of it centered around a river. Even if it was outside of a prison, the river gives an image of hope. It shows that life continues, no matter what.

What I Would Change About The River is Waiting:
Wally Lamb is an excellent writer. In fact, he wrote one of my favorite books, “She’s Come Undone.” I thought for sure this was going to be five stars from me. Unfortunately, Lamb made the book political. I read books, especially on vacation, to escape the politics of the world. It doesn’t matter whether I agree with it or not; I don’t want it in my fictional books. I wish he would have left it out because it didn’t add to the story line.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon Element, and Wally Lamb for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

A gut-wrenching and emotional read. Married and a father to twins, Corby's like seems idyllic but a downward spiral and a horrific tragedy, Corby is sentenced to prison for three years. Can someone find forgiveness and redemption not just from those they hurt but truly find it for themselves.

Corby fights his inner demons and the outside prison world in a never flinching, no punches held narrative. The River Is Waiting ties in not just redemption, forgiveness but also takes a hard look at our prison systems, racism and mental health. I found the main character to be intolerable most of the time but also felt a twinge of empathy for him at other times. The plot was well-paced but is a heavy read. It definitely is thought provoking and makes for a great book to discuss.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher through netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I can’t believe how Wally lamb makes me feel sometimes. Poignant emotional and just beautifully written. This novel will make you cry

My summer has started out with some very heavy, but very good reads. It's been awhile since Lamb has released a book, and this one was worth the wait......but it is a highly emotional book and very hard to read at times. I thought most of the characters were well developed with the exception of Emily - I just never quite connected to her. I appreciated the way the story unfolded.....until the end. The last 10 percent was disappointing to me for many reasons, and I would love to discuss it with someone! That being said, I highly recommend this read - it would be great for a book club discussion!

It’s been over a decade since I read a novel by Lamb and he tells as devastating a story as ever. Incredibly sad and well told portrait of love, addiction, and loss in this compassionate story of a dad serving prison time for causing the death of his toddler. There are no good outcomes for a story like this… but what traces of hope there might be are testimony to the small acts of kindness and courage which make life bearable through suffering.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and offer this as an honest review.

Corby Ledbetter marries his sweetheart, Emily and they have twins, Niko and Maisie. Life seems to be perfect until Corby begins to struggle after he loses his job. He starts to drink and take extra anxiety medicine during the day. A horrifying tragedy occurring and forever changes his life and the life of his family.

Good Book. It is Beautifully Written and Really Explores Such Difficult Subjects with Thoughtfulness. Very Dark, Disturbing, and Difficult to Read at Points. Really a deep look into the Prison System and what that has to offer or doesn’t offer. Issues of different sentences and treatment based on race and economic situations are presented. Wally Lamb has worked in a Correctional Institution for two decades teaching writing and this clearly shows. It is hard to find comfort or solace in a prison where often cruelty prevails. Corby searches to get through and find some light. He is an artist and through that and the library finds his greatest solace. Yet, can one ever really move forward when you have done something so wrong? Is it possible to put your family back together? All these are questions he frequently confronts and it is painful to be there with him. Yet, I did find his story real and compelling. The biggest fault I had was with the ending, as it fell flat for me. I think more could have gone into it and this just left much unsaid.

Thank you NetGalley and MarySue Rucci Books for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews for books I read.

Stop reading now if you want to avoid any spoilers for Lamb's new novel.

Okay, I soldiered on to the halfway point, but I just can't anymore. I was desperately hoping for Corby to get shanked in prison and die a gruesome, drawn-out, horrible death, but obviously that's not going to happen so I'm out. At the start of the book, Corby (ugh that stupid nickname over and over!) is a big man-baby who has lost his job and is now a stay-at-home dad to his two adorable toddler twins. Poor, poor Corby. Your life is so unfair. You'd better self-medicate with alcohol and Ativan, hiding it from your rockstar wife who deserves SO MUCH BETTER. Anyway, after his morning drinking and double dose of Ativan, Corby gets distracted when leaving the house and runs over his son who is playing in the driveway. Yep. I'm not sure I've ever used the term "trauma porn" before but this book fits it to a tee. Eventually, Corby gets sent to prison for 3 years, where he continues to mope and feel sorry for himself and makes every single thing all about him. The constant state of victimhood in this middle-aged white man was just unbearable for me in our current times and climate. There is no redeeming this character in any way I could accept when I'm still loathing him at the halfway point. When I saw another review mention that Corby's wife ends up staying with him, that was the nail in the coffin. Lamb is still a good writer, and I've loved his previous books. He also brings a level of prison knowledge that was interesting due to his work over the past years with women prisoners. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element | S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books for a digital review copy.

Well-written, but with such emotionally difficult plot elements, it was hard to read. I empathized with the main character, but I am so relieved it's over.

Wally Lamb is back with a sweeping heartbreak of a story. The writing was classic Wally Lamb- beautiful. His character development is top-notch, per usual. Absolutely impressive.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an emotional and heartbreaking experience but so worth the read. Corby Ledbetter suffers from anxiety and depression after losing his job and becoming a stay at home father to his two year old twins. After a tragic accident, his life spirals out of control when he sentenced to a three year prison sentence. While inside, he has to learn to survive the harsh conditions and awful treatment by guards and other inmates, but there are small glimmers of kindness when he makes an unlikely friend and cell mate and some kindly staff. Throughout his time, he tries to atone for what he's done, but how can he ask forgiveness when he can't even forgive himself?
This book is an emotional rollercoaster of grief and guilt, hope and despair. I know this story will stay with me for a long time. I love Wally Lamb's writing and I was so excited to see he had a new book after so long, and it was worth the wait! I highly recommend this book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.