This book. Wow. I listened to this book and it truly blew me away. This is my first read by Wally Lamb, and he is brilliant. I haven’t read a book in a REALLY long time that gave me such a visceral reaction. Let me explain. Here is my book review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb.

Corbin and Emily

Author Lamb introduces us to Corbin (Corby) and Emily, two college students madly in love with each other. Then madly in love with their twins Niko and Maisie. Life is pretty damn good, until it isn’t.

Let me be honest with you. If you can get through the first chapter of this book, you will be rewarded with a rich, deep and heartbreaking personal story. My husband and I were in the car when we started The River is Waiting on Audible. It starts out innocuous enough, but then…

The moment my brain realized what was about to happen in the first chapter I began to hyperventilate. I squeaked OH NO and reached over and shut off the book. My heart was racing I was not able to continue.

Twenty-Four Hours

I could not stop thinking about this book for the next 24 hours. But I steeled myself to go back and try again. I decided it was better I listen to this book on my own, without anyone else around to witness my response. Good idea. This book gave me more of a physical reaction than anything I have read in years. I gasped, sobbed, wept. Found myself wide eyed and my hand covering my gaping mouth.

READ.THIS.BOOK

I will not give away too much, but I will say, the character development in this story is incredible. Bravo to Lamb for creating characters you love, root for, hate, fear and feel personally attached to. This novel covers basically a period of about 3 years, but also looks at much of the past of the main characters. Lamb brilliantly writes the evolution of these characters as they deal with their guilt, love, addiction, and most of all, the horrors of incarceration and the USA justice system. I’ve learned Lamb himself is a recovering addict and works with prisoners. All of that comes through so perfectly in his writing.

There is redemption, although it may not be what you are expecting in the end. Lamb keeps you hanging through the entire novel, as you hope and wish for a happy ending.

Book Review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb

Lamb has created a hero for our time in Corbin Ledbetter. I can’t stop thinking about this book, or this character. A sure sign of an exceptional read. My favorite book so far this year – even though it was, at times – very painful to continue. Brilliant.

Thank you for reading my book review The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. This one gets five stars Plus*****! See last week’s book review So Far Gone by Jess Walter.

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