The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club) cover art

The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 15 July 2026 at 11:59 BST.
More purchase options

The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)

By: Wally Lamb
Narrated by: Jeremy Sisto
Get this deal

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £15.97

Buy Now for £15.97

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’s Book Club selections, returns with an exceptional third pick, an “incandescent” (Oprah Daily) 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?

An “immersive novel of redemption” (The New Yorker), The River Is Waiting is another “soul-wrenching” (NPR) masterpiece from celebrated author Wally Lamb. Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping Tear-jerking
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

Critic reviews

"Actor Jeremy Sisto is a convincing and talented performer who skillfully immerses listeners in the psyche of Corby Ledbetter, particularly with his tone."
All stars
Most relevant
This is possibly the saddest and most tragic novel I’ve ever read. Or listened to - to be accurate. Jeremy Sistine does an incredible job narrating it. From the word go you identify with Corby. Disillusioned after losing his job. He turns to drink and drugs to numb the banality of being a stay at home Dad taken for granted by his wife. The tragedy is truly awful. An honest guy he accepts his crime and goes to prison where he meets the worst characters. The two abusive guards will make you so angry. But Manny his homosexual cellmate is a ray of light in this darkness. This story is so cruel. Again I refrain from going into detail about the abhorrent abuse which ultimately leads to Corby’s undoing. The end is beautiful but so haunting. It took me a while to get through this book as it will affect your senses. I feel overwhelmed like I could cry. It’s excellent. Denise x

Tragic beyond words but compelling writing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An excellent book. This was my top read/listen of 2025. Highs and lows and then even more lows. It ripped out my heart.

Heart wrenching

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Mistakes happen but the suffering that follows after some mistake is painful and you can feel every moment of it too.
powerful expression.

Tearjerker

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
At times this was an uncomfortable listen - always staying with me between listens. Moving and believable - Wally Lamb's writing has never been better.

Outstanding

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An excellently paced book. Thought provoking, heartbreaking and incredibly engaging.

I willed an incredibly flawed character to find his way. He did, even in the most ironic way.

Heartbreaking but beautiful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews