The River Is Waiting

The River Is Waiting (2025) is a novel by Wally Lamb. Set in the late 2010s and early 2020s, the novel follows Corbin “Corby” Ledbetter, a struggling father whose life is irrevocably altered after a tragic accident and a prison sentence. Blending literary fiction with social commentary, The River Is Waiting examines themes of Overcoming Guilt and Finding Redemption, The Impact of Incarceration on Individuals and Families, and The Importance of Art and Human Connection.

Known for works like I Know This Much Is True and She’s Come Undone, Lamb also spent over 20 years volunteering as a writing instructor at York Correctional Institution, a women’s prison in Connecticut. This long-term engagement with the incarcerated population has significantly shaped his understanding of prison systems, institutional dynamics, and the personal stories of people serving time

This guide uses the eBook version published by Mary Sue Rucci Books in 2025.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature depictions of bullying, racism, religious discrimination, gender and transgender discrimination, antigay bias, sexual violence and harassment, rape, mental illness, child abuse, pregnancy loss, child death, death by suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm, animal cruelty and death, substance use and dependency, graphic violence, sexual content, cursing, illness, death, and physical and emotional abuse.

Plot Summary

Corbin “Corby” Ledbetter is a struggling husband and father of toddler twins, Niko and Maisie. Once an aspiring commercial artist, Corby has lost his job and self-esteem, and he is now battling alcohol dependency and prescription drug misuse. He hides his substance dependency from his wife, Emily, and lies to his family about job hunting. On the morning of April 27th, 2017, Corby takes his children outside while he is distracted and impaired. He accidentally runs over Niko while backing out of the driveway. Emergency services respond quickly, but Niko dies in the ambulance en route to the hospital.

Corby’s actions prompt a formal investigation by the police. During interviews with officers and detectives, Corby withholds the extent of his intoxication, though he later reveals his alcohol and Ativan use to both Emily and the investigating officers. He briefly considers death by suicide but instead seeks legal counsel. His lawyer advises him to lie about the timing of his substance use in order to potentially disqualify the blood test results.

As the investigation proceeds, Corby pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He is released on bail pending sentencing and begins attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. His relationship with Emily is tense and fractured, and they start attending therapy sessions with Dr. Beena Patel. Emily remains emotionally distant and expresses doubt about continuing their marriage. Meanwhile, Corby begins to confront the depth of his substance dependency, his guilt over Niko’s death, and his fear of losing both his wife and daughter. Ultimately, Corby is sentenced to three years in prison followed by three years of parole.

Corby begins his sentence at Yates Correctional Institution, where he struggles to adjust to prison life. Isolated and overwhelmed, he experiences suicidal ideation but gradually stabilizes with the help of his cellmate, Manny, and counselor Cavagnero. He attends AA and Naroctics Anonymous (NA) meetings, works to maintain his mental health, and looks for ways to stay out of trouble. Over time, Corby builds a routine and begins taking care of his physical health.

He is eventually offered a position on the grounds crew under Cavagnero’s supervision. While working there, he develops a quiet appreciation for the outdoor labor and the predictability of the job. His interactions with other inmates increase, and he accepts a mentorship role with Solomon, a younger inmate who is socially isolated and frequently bullied. After Solomon experiences harassment from other inmates and emotional distress related to his upcoming court appearance, Corby comforts him and gives him a small white stone taken from the river. Solomon returns to work the next day and returns the stone. Though Corby continues to deal with emotional ups and downs, he settles into a more stable pattern of daily life.

Corby passes the one-year mark of his sentence and reflects on how much has changed since he entered prison. He receives a visit from Emily, who informs him that their daughter Maisie is struggling emotionally. The visit is tense, and Emily refuses to bring Maisie for a family photo or commit to the future of their marriage. Corby learns from Emily that Solomon has a violent past. Shortly after, Corby is offered a permanent role on the grounds crew, with the condition that he continue to mentor Solomon, who is also being assigned to the crew.

Tensions escalate between Corby and correctional officer Piccardy, who has a history of misconduct and harasses Corby both verbally and physically. Solomon begins working on the crew but struggles with the tasks and faces bullying from other inmates. Corby supports him, walking him to the library and encouraging him to read. When Solomon is falsely accused of trying to smuggle a razor blade out of the library, he lashes out at Corby. Their relationship temporarily fractures, but Corby continues to advocate for him.

One day, Piccardy kills a turkey on the prison grounds, prompting Solomon to react violently. Later, Corby finds correctional officers abusing Solomon and intervenes by reporting the incident to Counselor Jackson. Though Jackson believes him, she explains she cannot publicly support him. Corby files a formal complaint, and Solomon is soon transferred out of the facility. Corby is removed from the grounds crew and begins experiencing increased harassment, including threats and false accusations.

Corby’s anxiety worsens, and he begins to fear for his safety. After learning about Piccardy’s continued abuse of power, he attempts to report him to higher authorities without success. He receives a letter from Emily and speaks with his mother, Vicki, and daughter, Maisie, on the phone. Their brief call is interrupted when the time runs out, and Corby reacts with frustration. Despite setbacks, he begins working on a mural in the prison library, inspired by the painting Landscape with the Fall of Icarus. He completes the mural with the support of Mrs. Millman and is briefly encouraged when an art agent expresses interest in his work.

Shortly after the mural’s unveiling, Corby is sexually assaulted by Officer Anselmo while Piccardy looks on. He does not report the rape. He begins seeing a prison psychologist and is prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Emily calls to say he will not be allowed to move in with her and Maisie upon release.

When Corby is approved for early release, he prepares to leave Yates and says his goodbyes. On the day of his release, his urinalysis comes back positive due to his prescription. His release is revoked, and in a moment of panic and anger, he strikes a guard and is placed in segregation. Jackson informs him that new charges may be filed. Corby learns that Piccardy and Anselmo have been fired and that another officer, Goolsby, had been working undercover. As COVID-19 spreads through the prison system, Corby attempts to hold himself together. After a painful phone call in which Emily cuts ties with him, he breaks down and confides in Manny about the assault. Manny comforts him, and they sit together in silence.

The final part of the novel shifts focus away from Corby and is narrated by Dr. Beena Patel and later by Emily. In June 2020, Dr. Patel learns that Corby has died of COVID-19 while still incarcerated. She reflects on his growth and struggles, and the risks faced by incarcerated people during the pandemic. Later, in 2023, Emily receives a letter from Manny, who has been released from prison and wants to meet.

Emily agrees to a meeting, and they talk about Corby’s life in prison. Manny gives her a sketch Corby had made of Solomon and a river stone that Corby once carried with him. Emily learns that Corby had been prescribed medication for anxiety and that he was raped shortly before his failed release. After their meeting, Emily acknowledges to herself that she had ignored signs of Corby’s dependency and realizes the extent of what he endured.

Emily decides to scatter Corby’s ashes in the Wequonnoc River and invites Solomon, who joins her and Maisie at the riverbank. Together, they return Corby’s stone to the water. Later, Emily and Maisie visit the library at Yates to view Corby’s mural. While Emily talks to Corby’s image and reflects on their shared past, Maisie climbs a stool to touch the mural and greets the image of her twin, Niko.