The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb
Wally Lamb is the bestselling author of numerous books including I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE and SHE’S COME UNDONE. His newest novel, THE RIVER IS WAITING deals with a young family in crisis.
Corby Ledbetter is a new father; struggling with the recent loss of his job and a secret addiction. His wife Emily is a teacher. While Corby searches for new employment, he is a stay-at-home dad to his two-year-old twins Maisie and Niko. As a commercial artist, work is hard to come by and with each rejection, his addiction grows. One fateful morning that will change the course of their lives forever, he asks his mother-in-law to care for the twins under the guise of looking for work. He intends to go on an all-day bender instead, starting at breakfast as he pops an Ativan and a couple of shots of 100 proof Captain Morgan into his coffee cup.
After he buckles Maisie in her car seat, he returns inside to retrieve a forgotten diaper bag while Niko lays on his belly in the driveway studying an ant hill. As he backs out of the driveway, he feels the resistance of something under his wheels, and as his neighbors frantically wave at him to stop the car, he steps out to find that he has backed over his son. Niko dies on the way to the hospital. Emily is not sure that she can ever forgive Corby.
Sentenced to prison, Corby is faced with the brutality of the prisoners, guards, and a justice system focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. After nearly taking his own life to escape the hell his life has become, Corby finds solace in a handful of trustworthy friends/inmates. The prison librarian provides him with reading material and the opportunity to use his artistic gift within the walls of the prison. After months and months, Emily allows Maisie to visit him with Corby’s mother, and it seems that Emily, who hasn’t yet filed for divorce, is softening. Corby is hopeful.
This is a sad story. One full of trauma and trigger warnings. There are no happy endings here, but Wally Lamb is an expert at mining tragedy for hard truths. Lamb drew upon his own experience with addiction and his son’s incarceration to craft a realistic portrayal of life behind bars. An emotionally charged story with compelling characters.
Can a mistake such as Corby’s be forgiven? And even if Emily forgives Corby, will he be able to forgive himself? Highly recommended for fans of Wally Lamb, Jodi Picoult, and John Irving.
