The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates

In 1950, Ariah Erskine's new husband jumps into Niagara Falls after a disastrous honeymoon night.  Ariah keeps up a 7 day vigil, waiting for her husband's body to be found.  Confirmed bachelor Dirk Burnaby finds himself waiting with Ariah.  Eighteen days after the end of the vigil, Dirk drives over 300 miles to Ariah's hometown and proposes marriage, which Ariah accepts.  The book follows their tumultuous marriage and family life.  I found it fascinating and extremely well written.  I rate it 4 out of 5.