Heyn explains the plague of contemporary divorce - initiated by women two thirds of the time - from a revolutionary new perspective: It's not bad relationships that cause wives to walk out; nor is it boredom, time, or overblown expectations. Rather, it's the institution of marriage itself, with the myriad hidden constraints that long ago shaped it, that is behind this phenomenon.

By examining the complex experience of "marriage shock," Heyn carefully charts how the institution can silently sabotage the very love and commitment a couple envision.

Elegantly argued and resounding with the voices of women and men, Marriage Shock is a ground-breaking book that will change the way we think about marriage - and about divorce. Heyn's compassionate conclusion is that marriage can be saved only when we stop trying to "fix" wives so they fit into it - and instead fix marriage to embrace and nourish wives.