The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb is about Corby Ledbetter, a father who, after losing his job and struggling with a secret addiction, causes a tragic accident that kills his toddler son. The novel details his subsequent involuntary manslaughter conviction, three-year prison sentence, and his arduous journey through guilt, loss, and addiction towards self-forgiveness and potential reconciliation with his surviving wife and daughter. The book explores themes of redemption, the impact of incarceration, systemic injustice, and the power of human connection.
