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The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)

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The River Is Waiting (Oprah's Book Club)

By: Wally Lamb
Narrated by: Jeremy Sisto
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Summary

 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? Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping Exciting Tear-jerking
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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."
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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

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Brilliant depiction of the aftermath of an unfortunate moment, and the consequences on a family.

Corby is a well-developed and complex character. His relationship with his wife, Emily holds lots to be explored and discussed. The relationships he develops in prison were interesting. Very well-plotted with a good pace. This is an enjoyable novel, despite the heavy subject matter: grief, death, alcoholism, drug abuse and the exploitation of those more vulnerable.

I highly recommend this novel!

A deeply reflective, powerful novel

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Mistakes happen but the suffering that follows after some mistake is painful and you can feel every moment of it too.
powerful expression.

Tearjerker

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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

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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

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