The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)
By Wally Lamb
- Release Date: 2025-06-10
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
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?
Reviews
Disappointing
2By car1kateAs an Oprah book club selection, I was really hoping for more. I loved She’s Come Undone, but this one just did not resonate for me.Waited a long time for this
5By JenobenoBra book, it takes you though every emotion possible. Wally Lamb thank you.River is Waiting
5By AZ Book AddictOne of the best novels about grief, shame and forgiveness. Tears of sadness and joy for all of these characters. Wally Lamb is a brilliant writer.Heartbreaking and Uplifting
5By SutyakwWow. The unexpected emotional turns in this story just wrecked me. What a beautiful, heartbreaking tale.Page turner for sure!
5By nanahammyThis book kept me reading for hours. Every page held my interest. Wally Lamb has a beautiful gift for storytelling.Read it in a week
5By Chelle0616It’s incredible!! I’ve probably never felt so many emotions reading a book in my lifetime. A story of choices and there inevitable outcomes.Excellent!
5By Amigo73Well written, with fantastic character development, this is a difficult story to read, partly because the author's expertise makes the reader experience the story. It's a story that will stay with the reader long after the last chapter. I very rarely give a book a 5-star rating, and this is the first one I've given this year, but it was that well written.Disappointed
1By GreenerB4505This book is so depressing from start to finish. Filled with cringeworthy expressions that seemed like the author was trying to imitate “prison slang” - felt forced and inauthentic. I loved Wally Lamb’s other books, this one just wasn’t it for me.Shocked me, made me cry and gasp. Loved this book.
5By Amber Summerscan't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much. Good job WallyTerrific book
5By pinbooksExcellent.The river is waiting
4By send memy moneyWhy do we have to be subjected to the authors political views every time we pick up the book. Wally Lamb was my favorite author, but he’s gone way down the list now.Brilliant book.
4By rosemary merloThe grief experienced by the characters held me totally captivated.Wally lamb
5By jshdjejdhNever disappoints.The River is Waiting
5By OlyRonWow! Just wow!Only the second time I’ve given five stars
5By FakeApp300Wow! Just… WOW!!!! I laughed, cried, was angry, hopeful, intrigued and on the edge of my seat. This will for sure become a classic.
