The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I chose it mainly because his books have gotten great reviews. Based on this book, I doubt I'll read another of his books. I found the trauma drama too much, and the main character unlikable.

Corby Ledbetter is having a bad year. He lost his job, became a stay-at-home dad, and turned to drink. When he thought things couldn't get any worse, a tragedy occurred, he was sent to prison, and his life was forever changed.

I struggled to finish this book. It was depressing, and the political and social commentary, while contributing to the story, could have made the same point without the navel-gazing.. There were valid points, especially about our judicial and prison systems, but a good editor could have made this a much more interesting book. Corby himself seemed to miss the point about what he needed to do to turn his life around, and that is what turned me off on the character. This review will likely be an outlier, and I encourage readers to consult multiple reviews before deciding whether to read this book. 

2/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 10, 2025.

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