The River Is Waiting Audiobook By Wally Lamb cover art

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

#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 Sagas Heartfelt Tearjerking
Emotional Rollercoaster • Compelling Storyline • Fantastic Narration • Beautiful Writing • Raw Storytelling
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I have never written a review for a book before. Not ever! But this book is incredible. I just felt moved to write a review, like I had to. I will never forget these characters. I was sitting at work today at a meeting thinking about Corbi, and about his tragic ending. I can't remember ever feeling like this after listening to an audio book, and I've listened to plenty. This was such an amazing read. The characters stay with you. Just, Wow! Bravo, Wally Lamb.

Just, Wow! Purchase this book. Thank me later.

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Wally Lamb is my very favorite author. He makes you fall in love with the main character and leaves you changes forever.

Another stamp on my soul, Corby.

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How heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹. I really loved this book. It was a true to life story that was told from a different angle than you would have expected. Sometimes I think the world needs more of that. I like that he didn’t muddle up the story with a bunch of characters that mean nothing or unnecessary side stories. Easy to follow and really kept the reader engaged and interested. Beautifully written.

Heartbreaking true to life

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The emotional roller coaster ride that was this story will forever remain in my memory.

Heartbreaking

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I was hooked from the beginning and finished within a couple of days! Wonderful story from a favorite writer! And, narration of an excellent! You won’t be disappointed

Excellent and Compelling

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This book had me right from the start. The characters were relatable (even if their situations were not) and you really felt what each was going through. The relationship between Emily and Corrby was full of so many emotions. The ending hit me in a way I did not see coming.
Highly recommend!!!

Best Wally Lamb yet!!

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I understand why this Is the Oprah Book Club pick. I was immediately drawn into this book after reading the first sentence, by the end of the first chapter I was like wtf. The storyline is incredible as I have come to expect from this author. I have read all his other books. What i didn’t expect was this ending. This story is about forgiving the unforgivable combined with addition snd surviving in the prison system

A true story teller

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Wally Lamb has written many great novels and this one was very good. my disappointment stems from the fact that he has chosen to add politics into his writing, showing bias and unfairness to the thousand of readers whom do not share his political views. We encounter political hatred everywhere we turn these days, do we need it in fiction literature as well. You lost me Wally Lamb!

Dissapointed

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I loved this so very much! Loved the narration too! Very good! Love, loss and forgiveness.

Must read

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I was immediately gripped by the struggle of the father after a tragic loss and the consequences that follow. Whilst one can only imagine some of the emotions, the story telling was so good that you almost felt the emotion. An excellent read.

Loss and guilt

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