Other tides by Shields that readers may enjoy are Happenstance, which is the story of a relationship told in two separate parts from the perspective of the husband and the wife, and The Republic of Love, a romance about two middle-aged people who have just about given up on love. Both of these have well developed, convincing male characters, precursors to Larry Weller. Tom Avery of The Republic of Love is a late-night radio show host with no less than three divorces when he meets Fay McLeod, a folklorist studying mermaids. Jack Bowman of Happenstance, a precursor to both of these male characters, works at a research institute and struggles with the challenges of keeping his marriage to Brenda vital during difficult times. The Stone Diaries may also be of interest because it is Shields's most highly acclaimed work and it also contains the same interest...