The River Is Waiting

Corbin “Corby” Ledbetter is the novel’s protagonist. Introduced as a self-deprecating father and out-of-work graphic designer, Corby is emotionally isolated, overwhelmed by guilt, and unable to communicate openly with those around him. His relationship with alcohol and prescription drugs, which he hides from his wife and rationalizes to himself, points to a pattern of avoidance rooted in childhood trauma. From the beginning, Corby characterizes himself through negative internal monologue and ironic detachment, signaling his deep, internalized shame and his belief that he is undeserving of empathy or forgiveness. His past is heavily shaped by the emotional and physical abuse inflicted by his father, Dr. Corbin Ledbetter, and Corby’s failure to protect his own son becomes a psychological echo of that legacy.

Corby’s time in prison catalyzes both his lowest point and his most meaningful transformation. Over the course of the novel, he transitions from a person having suicidal ideation and despair to one in cautious pursuit of redemption. His journey is marked not only by outward events—such as his mentorship of Solomon or the completion of the prison mural—but also by a growing ability to reflect, admit wrongdoing, and accept the support of others.