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
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?

©2025 Wally Lamb (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio
Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sagas Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping Tearjerking
Emotional Rollercoaster • Raw Storytelling • Magnificent Narration • Beautiful Writing • Engaging Performance
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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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Loved this book. So informative about a subject you think you know how you feel about it. Highly recommend

Beautiful writing

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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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What a powerful and moving story! A difficult read but very, very good. I highly recommend

Powerful

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I really liked the character development and the way they eventually handled each situation. Sad story in general but so many hopeful outcomes and a lovely ending.

Difficult subjects but outstanding writing

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This was an emotionally difficult book to read, the event that sets the stage for the sweeping saga reads like a Greek tragedy, the brutal honesty and naked vulnerability at once hard to confront, yet impossible to put down.

Character development

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This is one of the most extraordinary books I have listened to in ages. Jeremy Sisto’s performance was stunning and elevated the story. Mr. Lamb’s character development and accurate depiction of addiction and prison life was captivating. This story will linger with me for a long time.

Stunning & captivating novel!

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A beautifully written story, I couldn’t stop listening. I loved the way Lamb captured the human side of addiction and the ripple effect actions have on the people they love.

Wrecked

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Great voice and amazing story details covering all the bases. Emotional, Interesting, and very Realistic

Couldn’t stop listening

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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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