Corby Ledbetter is struggling. New fatherhood, the loss of his job, and a growing secret addiction have thrown his marriage to his beloved Emily into a tailspin. And that’s before he causes the tragedy that tears the family apart.

Sentenced to prison, Corby struggles to survive life on the inside, where he bears witness to frightful acts of brutality but also experiences small acts of kindness and elemental kinship with a prison librarian who sees his light and some of his fellow offenders, including a tender-hearted cellmate and a troubled teen desperate for a role model. Buoyed by them and by his mother’s enduring faith in him, Corby begins to transcend the boundaries of his confinement, sustained by his hope that mercy and reconciliation might still be possible. Can his crimes ever be forgiven by those he loves?

This was my first Wally Lamb novel and I can confidently say it won’t be my last.

For years, I’ve seen people rave about his earlier books, and I always told myself I’d get around to reading something by him eventually. Well, I finally did, and now I understand why people rave about his work. One of my best friends and I were reading this at the same time, and we were both wrecked. Some things happen in this novel that left me breathless and devastated. It’s beautifully written, emotionally devastating, and achingly human. It will definitely be on my top reads of the year list, and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being my favorite read of the year.

I need to start by saying this isn’t an easy book. The first chapter left my jaw on the floor and my heart was right next to it. The story centers on Corby Ledbetter, a man caught in the unraveling threads of his own life. He’s struggling with new fatherhood, he’s just lost his job, and he’s hiding a secret addiction that’s slowly burning everything down. From the first chapter, you can feel the weight pressing on his shoulders, and you know something is going to give. And when it does, it shatters everything.

The tragedy that propels this novel forward is gut-wrenching, not just because of what happens, but because of how real it feels. The entire story does. And that’s what makes it so compelling. It’s about grief and guilt, yes, but it’s also about love, redemption, and the slim chance that somehow, through the pain, we might find our way back to something good.

Corby is a complicated protagonist. In the beginning, I was frustrated with him. I didn’t hate him, but I didn’t exactly root for him either. He makes terrible choices. He pushes people away. He wallows. But that’s also what makes his journey so powerful. Watching him slowly change felt like watching someone come back to life. It’s not easy. It’s not quick. But it’s believable.

The supporting characters are just as intricate. Every character in this book feels essential. No one is there just to serve the plot. They each bring something meaningful to the story, and by the end, I felt like I knew them. Even the ones I didn’t like at first managed to surprise me. Lamb has a gift for capturing nuance and complexity in a way that makes even the most broken characters feel worthy of empathy.

The writing itself is deceptively simple. Lamb’s prose isn’t showy or overly literary, but it’s incredibly effective. He knows exactly how to use language to draw out emotion and to make you feel the weight of a moment without overexplaining it. I love when an author trusts the reader to feel things without being spoon-fed. That kind of restraint is rare and, when done well, incredibly powerful. The pacing is patient, and every chapter feels earned. The prison sections, in particular, are some of the most affecting I’ve read in a long time. They’re honest without being hopeless. Corby’s experiences behind bars are harrowing, but they’re also strangely tender at times. The relationships he forms are what give the novel its emotional center. They show us that even in the darkest places, there’s still room for connection, growth, hope and grace.

I walked away from this book feeling like I had lived someone else’s life for a while. It’s the kind of story that lingers, the kind that reminds you how hard and beautiful and painful and miraculous life can be. If you’re a fan of literary fiction that isn’t afraid to dig deep, that tells the truth about human messiness while still offering a glimmer of redemption, this book is for you. It’s raw, real, and ultimately, unforgettable. Believe the positive reviews. This book is absolutely worth your time.

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