This book evokes deep emotions, making it a challenging read. The protagonist, Corby, is a stay-at-home father who finds himself unemployed and grappling with depression. His reliance on anxiety medication has escalated, compounded by his increasing use of alcohol. A devastating tragedy befalls him, leading to a prison sentence, which serves as the primary setting for much of the narrative. Within the confines of prison, Corby fights to survive and navigates a difficult environment. Throughout his journey, he cultivates friendships that impart significant life lessons. The question remains: will these insights assist him in reconnecting with his family outside? Prepare yourself with plenty of tissues for this poignant story. This book tore my heart out!

hanks to NetGalley for an arc. This didn’t quite live up to my expectations- and they are mighty high for Wally Lamb- but I liked it overall. The ending was good, and I liked most of the story. But I was SO OVER Corby feeling sorry for himself and speculating about what his wife was doing and if she’s met someone, and will she take him back, etc, when he gets out of prison. Honestly those parts were insufferable. But aside from that. 8 likes it.

I was so excited to get an ARC of Wally Lamb’s new novel from NetGalley. He is one of my favorite authors, and of course, the writing is spectacular. The subject matter, though, is HEAVY. Corby is an addict who goes to prison for the worst possible crime. The majority of the story takes place in jail, where we watch Corby try to rehabilitate. As I (surprisingly) found myself rooting for him, I started to wonder: are there some things that are unforgivable? Or does everyone deserve forgiveness if they work hard to make amends?

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon element for the advanced reader copy.

Spoiler included

I have loved Wally Lamb's writing since She's Come Undone, so I was excited to see that he had a new book coming out. Unfortunately, the publishers had a big miss on this, in terms of not providing a clear content warning about the "tragedy" that befalls Corby and his family: namely, that Corby accidentally runs over his toddler son multiple times. And that the murder happens on the page. It was such a shocking event that I couldn't move beyond that chapter; perhaps there is great stuff that comes afterward but I'll never get to it.

The consistent analytical tone of this story about a man who does the worst thing a parent can do keeps the tragedy of the main violent event from being overwhelming. Since the structure is journal-writing type chapters after the main event, you could make a case for this kind of introspection and analysis. But a lot of the dialogue sounds like formal letter-writing rather than the way people talk.

All this results in a story that is more instructional—about getting over addiction, treating somebody with addiction problems, marriage counseling, trauma healing, and dealing with the insanity of being incarcerated—than dramatic.

Particularly in the beginning, I enjoyed the instruction and even found myself contemplating what I was learning that I might apply to difficult situations. But this book is not the product of gut-churning literary prowess and by the end I was pretty detached. Even so, the ending was moving.

Nothing like crying on Christmas Eve as I finished this book! I won’t sugarcoat it - this book was sad in a variety of ways, but it was also very good. The subject matter was tough (addiction, grief/loss, etc.) and brought up all the feelings. The characters were fleshed out and I was invested in their stories despite the fact that the main character (and others) were both likeable and unlikeable at different times to me. A hallmark of a good book to me is anticipating when I’ll be able to pick it back up again, and that happened every time I had to put this one down. I also didn’t expect many of the things that happened which made it feel even more interesting to me. If you’re open to a book with emotional depth encased in a well-written story, then this book is for you!

Out May 6, 2025!

✨Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book!✨

First of all...huge thanks to Simon Element and NetGalley for allowing me to read this gem 6 months prior to publication. I remember reading I Know This Much is True as a teenager and all of the emotions came flooding back to me 20 years later with the story of The River is Waiting.

The story of Corby Ledbetter is one of the typical American. Faced with the same pressures of society, Corby is a stay-at-home dad to young twins. He makes a horrible decision that changes the trajectory of his life everyone else's in his family. His later years in prison are at times hard to read (two instances immediately come to mind that I will not be forgetting anytime soon).

Lamb faces head-on the difficult topics of addiction, dependency, prison life, and examines both the inhumane and most humane parts of a person's spirit. Bravo Mr. Lamb....this one may stick with me longer than your last book.

I loved I know this much is true so when I saw this I felt the immediate need to request and I'm glad I did. This book just as previous ones is lengthy and I love that part, I love a good long 500+ page book. This one is truly a emotional ride and times it'll take you through some dark patches and it gets sad but I still enjoyed it very much so. A good cry is not bad for a person, this is a wonderful heart wrenching read where Corby tries to survive sobriety and life in prison.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Wally Lamb never fails to deliver. This story will stay with me. It's a powerful novel.

The River is Waiting is a sweeping saga about the worst thing that can happen to a family, and the devastating impacts that never really go away. The title is both literal and figurative-a river plays a prominent role in the story, but it also refers to how the life Corby and his family knew is swept away in an instant. And there is a third, more subtle association-the writing of The River is Waiting flows like a river-at times calm and peaceful, but then turns raging and wild. You'll feel these changes in your bones. Wally Lamb is the author of multiple best sellers and his experience is on full display with A River is Waiting- a lesser hand could not handle such a sensitive and truly heartbreaking story with such finesse. The ultimate question of A River is Waiting is if some acts are truly unforgivable, and how do you live with yourself knowing they will also never be forgotten?

I’ve been waiting for a new Wally Lamb book ever since I Know This Much is True. The wait is over and boy, he does not disappoint.
The River Is Waiting is set in Connecticut, and at the start we are introduced to Corbin and Emily and their two year old twins. Emily is a teacher and Corbin, an artist who has recently lost his job, is trying to find employment but spiraling into a depression that leads to drinking and drugging. Then the unthinkable happens and this family is torn apart, and “Corby” ends up in prison. The majority of the novel revolves around his time imprisoned, the guilt he carries, the ways he tries to overcome it and atone for his sins. It is a book about forgiveness, forgiving others and forgiving yourself. It is about friendship, right and wrong, and the injustices of our prison system. It is about having hope not expectations. There is so much packed into these pages. As I always say in a review, to me, a five star book is one you recommend to anyone and one that makes you feel things. This gave me all the feels- I felt like I would vomit, I felt like I would cry. I felt. I felt. I felt. It made me walk away from it, it made me clutch it and never want to put it down. It made me shake my head in denial that these things were happening. From the first chapter to the last chapter, I cried. This one will stick with me. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for my ARC.

I think everyone has awaited a new Wally Lamb book for years. I’ve devoured everything he’s written. This one took me a long time to read. The way this author writes his characters is so vivid and emotional and he most certainly makes you feel every emotion the character feels.

Maybe my tastes have changed in the years in between books. But I really struggled getting through it. The beginning started so strong. Did I empathize with Corby? Absolutely how could you not, but at some point I stopped caring. The ending was strong, the beginning was strong, but everything in between was not.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The River Is Waiting. Wally Lamb is the master of epic, sweeping ,character driven novels and this one does not disappoint. I finished the book over a month ago and the characters still haunt me day to day. A gift.

This was a long awaited book by Wally Lamb, having loved past books. I really enjoyed this novel. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.

Wally Lamb never disappoints! A tender heart-breaking story of love and loss. Similar elements to his other books as well.

I was so excited to get to read this through netgalley. I am a huge fan of Wally Lamb and this was beautifully written. I would consider this among his best work. Corby, oh Corby......tragedy ensues, heartbreaking. I had to pace myself with this one because I wanted to tear into it and perhaps the dark of impending winter was not the best time to read it. I sobbed so many times in this book. I loved Corby's internal journey. Lamb kills me a couple of times in this book but can I say that this is a case of an author having such empathy and understanding of humanity that even the rough parts are dealt with in such a mindful and meaningful way that I forgive Wally for gutting me. I know this is a run-on but I cannot truly express how much I loved this book, in all of its tragic beauty. This is one of his greatest works! I will read it again.

I Know This Much is True is one of my favorites of all time because of the growth and the redemption. In many ways, this has shades of the same redemption and study of the human condition. I am so grateful to have read The River is Waiting and I cannot wait to discuss this with my friends. Someone needs to read this so we can talk about it.

3.5 stars

Corby Ledbetter is struggling mightily. He and wife Emily have two year old twins, Niko and Maisie and he is acting as full time house husband and child minder since he lost his job which is a blow to his ego. He also has a growing secret addiction to prescription anxiety drugs and alcohol just to get him through the days.

Then an unthinkable tragedy strikes and Corby is to blame. His family is torn apart and Corby is sentenced to prison where he barely survives on the inside. However he also experiences small acts of kindness and grace and he forms relationships with the prison librarian, his cellmate and a young man desperate for a role model. He draws strength from them as well as from those on the outside. Can his crimes be forgiven by those he loves?

I remember reading that Lamb is a big advocate for prison writing programs. The book can be a bit saccharine at times, but I enjoyed it. I should have seen the end coming.

Years ago, I read two Wally Lamb books that knocked me out: I Know This Much Is True and She’s Come Undone. Both were, for different reasons, deeply affecting and emotionally intense. When I had the opportunity to read Lamb’s new book, The River Is Waiting (thanks to Simon Element/ S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books and NetGalley, I had conflicting emotions: “Yay!” and “Can I handle this right now?” because I just knew a Wally Lamb book would be…a lot.

The story revolves around Corbin “Corby” Ledbetter. He is struggling: he has young twins, he loses his job, and he’s becoming secretly addicted as a desperate way to deal with everything going on in his life. Throughout, he is deeply introspective: “Sometimes I think we’re all wandering in the dark and that it’s random and pointless. But I’m trying to open my mind to the possibility of some deeper truths. Trying to see the light and move in that direction.” There are multiple themes including the inequities in the criminal justice system related to issues of race, class, and heritage, and Corby struggles while he learns that things are truly much different from what he learned as a kid: “In school, they taught us that we were the good guys – the descendants of brave freedom seekers who had crossed the Atlantic and established their claim to the “New World.”…That was just propaganda…To us white victors had gone the spoils and the right to flip the narrative.” Wow.

There are other lessons he learns as the story follows his desperate and sometimes terrifying experiences: “…how most of us must carry our bruised childhoods on our backs…” and”…to live means to suffer, then to die alone.” But along with the difficulties he endures, he also views small acts of kindness and unexpectedly positive relationships with a variety of characters including a troubled teen and a prison librarian (yay for librarians!) Along the way, Lamb explores white supremacy, addiction, mental illness, and brutality from and toward pretty much everyone in or adjacent to the correctional facilities he explores so vividly.

Difficult topics, emotionally affecting, and beautifully written, I know looking back why it sat for awhile on my TBR list – I had to be in the right frame of mind and to have a nice block of uninterrupted time to read and reflect on what I expected (correctly, as it turned out) to be an extremely impactful book. Five stars. Highly recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had been waiting for a new Wally Lamb novel and this did not disappoint. It starts at what seems to be a standard story about someone who drinks too much. But the damage is unfathomable for most of us to imagine or put ourselves in that position. The ending is a surprise. Wally's writing is clear, the dialogue is good and the story is new.

I’ve enjoyed Wally Lamb’s writing in the past , but this devastating event in the life of a family is just too heartbreaking to read about now .