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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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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 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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This was a book club pick and not something I’d have chosen. Well written and narrated it kept me engaged and invested in the characters.

Engaging and harrowing at the same time

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Wally Lamb has a way of telling a story that moved me to tears and opened my heart.

Outstanding

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another great tale from Wally Lamb! first chapter was tough but the Corby”scharacter grew on me
excellent symbolism - a tragic story of love and redemption

does not disappoint

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If I could double the stars, I would. Can’t sugarcoat it, this book is heart-wrenching AND worth every single one of the many tears I shed while reading it. Beautifully written and captivating read with characters even the most cynical will become attached to. I couldn’t stop listening - I finished the entire book in under 24 hours. I only leave written reviews for the very best and the very worst books - this obviously falls into the very best. I can’t begin to explain the plot, the interesting characters and the many complex and thought-provoking stories & events that are interwoven into a…MASTERPIECE. Even if I could explain it, no words I could say would be adequate. I will read this many times over & recommend it to everyone I know.

Best of the 110 Books I’ve read this year!

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Monotone reader spoiled it for me, interesting in parts regarding life in prison but couldn’t get past the one tone reading, although I did to finish it!

Goodish story

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