Curious Reality: From the World of Spilt Milk

by D.K. Cassidy, Ben Adams (Illustrator)

D.K. Cassidy, the best-selling author of Spilt Milk: A Collection of Stories, continues the story of some of the characters that first appeared in Spilt Milk.

Everyone believes in their own version of reality.

Will the past deeds of Caleb, Joy, and George come back to haunt them? Discover realities on the spectrum between normal and fantasy. Earlier experiences shape the present and future. Choices change lives.

• Can a murderer decide to stop killing?
• Can a woman regain the confidence she had in her twenties?
• Can a lonely man find the perfect companion?

Welcome to the world of Curious Reality. Are any of your realities curious?

Genres: Fiction

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2015

About the author

D.K. Cassidy has been scribbling stories since she was a child and loves to write in various genres including Magical Realism, Urban Gothic, Science Fiction, and Literary Fiction. She has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Washington.

D.K. Cassidy lives in the Pacific Northwest with her greatest fans: her husband Mark, twin sons Aidan and Jared, and three cats. When not writing, she loves to travel, run, knit, use the Oxford comma, and of course read!

Reviews

[Anna Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious Reality is another book by D.K. Cassidy that moves in and out of various perspectives on reality. Using sparse language she exposes the subjective experience of her characters in vignettes woven together into short stories. Caleb, Joy and George, who made their first appearances in Cassidy's previous book, Spilt Milk, are vividly drawn characters, interconnected in surprising ways. They are more recognizable for their distinctive psychological profiles and visions of the world, than their physical features, social roles, work situations, or other descriptors typically used to define fictional characters. The characters' stories take the reader into dark places, mess with the boundaries between reality and fantasy, evoke an enormous range of emotions, and perhaps, leave the reader a little relieved to return to a more ordinary, less curious reality. This is a book that can be enjoyed in an afternoon, all at once, or in smaller increments over time. A five star read, either way! Kudos for this well-written, highly original book. The title is a perfect choice, too.

[Alan Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet a number of introverted and disturbed people: Joy, who once had peculiar thoughts and nightmares, and who falls back through her bedroom wall to escape a would-be attacker; Caleb, an elevator attendant, aggressive and perturbed; George, a reclusive friend of Caleb's, unable to mix and online most of the time, aching for a companion, albeit a 'created' artificial one, who sets about building a primitive female robot. They are all patients of Dr Tine. Bartolome, a bookshop-owner, also knits together the characters, Joy working for him, Caleb working in a nearby music shop, and George frequenting the shop. D K Cassidy, as in her other books, in which some of the present characters have their origin, expertly and comprehensively explores the conflict between the inner world and the external world, and how each person attempts to accommodate them, some by living totally in a self-created world, others through beliefs/thoughts disturbing or transforming that outer world. Provocative and evocative writing, at the same time strangely disturbing and yet somehow reassuring. Check it out.

[Diana Febry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I read Spilt Milk: A Collection of Stories a collection of short stories by this author and thought how much I'd like to see some of the interesting characters developed in a longer book. And here it is! A handful of the characters are now living in the same neighbourhood, some are friends but for others the connection is more indirect. This book works perfectly well as a stand alone but I felt a sense of familiarity having met some of the characters previously.
This book is all about people, brought to life by the lightest of touches capturing their essence. These aren't your usual characters. In everyday life, depending on how nervous your disposition, you'd shift uncomfortably in your seat if they sat next to you or maybe cross the street to avoid acknowledging them. These are society's misfits.
It is a very uplifting book. Despite their oddities they are mostly kind harmless people (not sure about Caleb). Due to their inability to automatically fit in they are all desperately lonely. But within their distorted realities and limitations they strive to make their situation better, be it by losing weight, seeking employment or building a robot. For me, the book really begged the question - if someone is happy and not harming anyone else, who are we to judge?
Very enjoyable, interesting and readable book.

[Linda Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious Reality by D.K. Cassidy continues to explore the lives of characters introduced in her earlier work, Spilt Milk. While I recommend you start with Spilt Milk, it isn't necessary to do so to enjoy and understand the current offering.

The recurring characters (Caleb, Joy, and George) all lead rather dysfunctional lives that curiously intersect. In this read, Joy discovers she has a special talent; Caleb makes some decisions about life; and George may just find his soul mate. Of course, in Cassidy's version of reality, all of these events are just slightly twisted and off-balance which is what makes her work so original and thought-provoking.

Spilt Milk was, by far, the best book I read in 2014 and, as a follow-up, Curious Reality does not disappoint. Ms. Cassidy's writing is sparse - there are no wasted words - and each word she uses is very carefully chosen for maximum impact. The result is a gripping read, with characters and situations that border on the bizarre and tease at the corners of your mind.

Thank you, Ms. Cassidy for another brilliant journey into a new version of reality. Can't wait to see what you come up with next! Most highly recommended - Five big, bright, shiny stars!

[Jana Petken · Rating 5 out of 5]

DK Cassidy spins a wonderful tale. After reading Spilt Milk, I was looking forward to this one, and all the bizarre twists, I guessed would be in it. Ms Cassidy has a way with words, which stirs the reader. Her snappy sentences are fast becoming her signature style. She is evocative with her plots and characters, and unpredictable.
If I have one criticism it would be that I would have liked this book to be longer, as I was nowhere near waning in my enthusiasm.
Curious Reality, Like Spilt Milk is a page turner, a wonderful read, where you feel you are going down the rabbit hole with, Caleb, Joy, and George. These characters are sublimely drawn and their lives are both interesting and frighteningly realistic.
An excellent read, and a book I will certainly read again, in the future
Highly recommended 5 stars

[Michael Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious Reality surprised me constantly. The fresh metaphors and crisp writing kept me interested. Her imaginative world peopled with quirky characters harkened back for me. The characters ripen in front of us in intensity in the way that Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie presented its oddly knit group – a kind of memory play. Loved the short novel. I will definitely pick up Spilt Milk now that I know how poetically mysterious D.K. Cassidy's writing is.
Cassidy is a master of twists and turns and surprises. The book never fails to take the reader along a path that suddenly splits and reveals something new and unexpected. Poetry deserves poetic language to describe it. I am sadly not a poet, but I'll try. A wonderfully dark book that enlightens the reader and shows the best part of the underside of reality.

[C.L. Heckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in love with yet another twisted and stirring read by this author. A great follow-up to Spilt Milk, it tracks the lives of characters we have already grown to love or hate. The way the author writes her stories is so unique, that I have yet to find one similar. Each line is leaving you wanting more, and every situation has you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend, and look forward to any future works by this author who has quickly become one of my favorites.

[Amalie Jahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. Mazing. I loved everything about this book. The rotating perspective of the three main characters was artfully done and Cassidy's smooth writing style carries you effortlessly through page after page of this fantastic book. Reminiscent of early Koontz, with quiet paranormal qualities infused with characters who are "not quite right," I highly recommend this book to any lover of good imaginative fiction.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories build on the authors previous selection "Spilt Milk"and feature familiar and truly excellent characters established there. The stories seem to overlap as characters meet each other but don't necessarily interact with each other. The people are all somewhere in the twilight of madness and normality, some patients of a psychologist. The simple prose brings us close to each one of them, seeing in their different and sometimes scary mind sets. I am always a big fan of psychology sessions in books and those scenes bring in a reflection of sense of reality and normality. I found myself very fond of the characters and their oddities.
I was curious that a selection of short stories could have a sequel and I'm very pleased I gave it a go.
Excellently written and plotted this blurs the lines between short stories and novel writing. The book has high literary quality and is highly recommended for highbrow readers as well as those who read the stories for entertainment. Intriguing and different, this will not disappoint.

[Jennifer Theriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one thing that grabbed me from page one of this book is that any of these characters could be people you see every day - be it in a grocery store line, in a coffee shop, at your hairdressers, at a bus stop...anywhere. You never know what people are going through, emotionally. Each person has their own imperfections, their own faults, their own dark secrets and with Curious Reality, the writer shows us how we could actually connect with these people. It was an eye opener for me and I can honestly say, I will look at that person in front of me in the grocery line, at the book store and at the hair salon in a totally different light.
Kudos to DK Cassidy for this thought provoking look at life through the eyes of an imperfect soul, searching for acceptance and healing.

[Angie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading Spilt Milk and when I found out there were recurring characters in Curious Reality (Caleb, Joy, and George), I could not wait until I got my hands on this book! I was not disappointed in the least! I loved every part of this book and could not put it down. It's definitely one of those books you can read in one sitting, and it keeps you turning pages all the way. It's dark and suspenseful, but so much fun to read! I highly recommend you pick up Spilt Milk first, then give Curious Reality a go. It will be the best decision you've made in books this year!

[Robert Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like one of her earlier books CURIOUS REALITY takes up with the characters tossed into another whirlwind of curcumstances bordering on both reality and fantasy. I enjoy D.K.'s writing - definitely not the norm and definitely not mundane. Do you need a breath of frsh air with your reading? Want a book that challenges your mindf? Good words, simple and direct. Highly recommended. Intelligent to say the least.

[Rachel McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read the first book (which I will - as I feel it will help give me more context). Regardless however the book creatively helps you to quickly identify the characters and understand them and their dysfunctions and quirks. The separate stories throughout the chapters bring you quickly into a story where the characters intercept bringing you cleverly into the story as it develops.

[S.R. Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** Inspirational, Haiku-esque Writing


Having read D. K. Cassidy before, I know what an amazing writer she is. But this time, while consuming her newest book, “Curious Reality,” I instinctively started to analyze the depth of this author’s power and why she ‘speaks’ to me.

Using unique, haunting, and an almost Haiku-esque prose, she manages to bring a true authenticity to her characters and their various mental issues. Whether it be hallucinations or bizarre obsessions leftover from childhood abuse, or simply part of life’s inevitable scars, in her insightful hands, she catapults us all to dark places––places that may horrify you, but at the same time, pull at your heart strings. And as she intertwines these characters together into some form of dysfunctional network, she always, ALWAYS makes you think on a more profound, soulful level. Inspirational...

[Jonny Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book by a wonderful author.

I really enjoyed following this story. It has a lot of thought-provoking seems. What I really like is the author's writing style and how you're able to feel yourself inside of the story. Curiously added to really takes your curiosity to a whole new level.

I really recommend reading this book because your curiosity will expand.

[Reg Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Interesting Read.



D.K. Cassidy has the ability to bring all of her characters to life. If you read this story, you will be enthralled with the antics of the characters.
Curious Reality is a great sequel to Split Milk. This one delves deeper into the characters in Split Milk. I would recommend both of these books as a good and interesting read.

[William O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious Reality
D.K. Cassidy

A really super book with twist and turns, exploring between reality and fantasy. The characters, Caleb, Joy, and George are well crafted and developed for the tasks at hand.

Adventure and exploration and concepts make this an amazing read.

[Janet E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.K. Cassidy is a sparse, poetical, yet disciplined writer whose talent has been amply demonstrated in "Spilt Milk," a book of short fictions involving some of the same characters who try their ambitious wings in the novel "Curious Reality." In "Curious Reality" we see a writer under the control of her characters, which is how writing at its best always reads. Not a breath is wasted, not a beat is false. It's been too long since I read an emerging writer with the special gift of losing herself, and you her companion as well, in the store so that this new reality becomes more real than our everyday lives.

Take a trip with D.K. Cassidy into her world, unlike any other.. As a matter of fact, take two: if you've missed "Spilt Milk," buy it and read it as well. Some mighty think the order of reading these two will matter -- I don't. All great characters have pasts, presents, and futures. Cassidy's have pasts more real than the folks next story, more enthralling than your present predicaments, and more bright than the future for 99% of emerging writers today. Verisimilitude such as hers comes only to the luckiest, and hardest-working, of authors -- and I say both because, without luck, without talent given by the Muses, no amount of work can produce characters and stories such as these.

Let me make it simpler: Cassidy is a REALLY REALLY good writer. You should start reading her now. Where she's going, you surely want to go.

[Delinda McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

George, Caleb, and Joy first appeared in D K Cassidy’s Spilt Milk where they fumbled their way through their twisted reality. They seem to have improved their lives as they enter into this Curious Reality. I do not mean to hint that Cassidy’s characters function much better than they did before they ended up in prison or the asylum, but they are less twisted—more macabre and curious.

Caleb is certain he does not want to go back to jail as he sets about learning to live without his father and having regained his freedom. George longs for companionship as he tries to avoid his mother. Joy tries to overcome her anxiety from when Caleb tried to kill her. Separately, they all visit Dr. Tine their psychiatrist of doubtful usefulness.

Cassidy’s attention to detail is the tool that brings her characters to life. To someone who paints with a broader brush, Caleb, George, and Joy may appear to be just a bunch of losers. Cassidy has the reader cheering them on and hoping the best for them despite their peculiar choices.

[Brenda Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious Reality by D. K. Cassidy is a very curious read, for certain. Captured my interest right from the start. The author has a realistic writing style that is believable and approachable. It was easy to get absorbed into this intriguing tale.

Though dark and filled with disturbed characters, this story feels a bit whimsical. Quirky in an offbeat interesting way. Totally unexpected and unpredictable.

I enjoyed this unique story. The different characters and their stories had me glued to the pages. This is an attention grabber and I enjoyed the twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.

Quote ~

"An hour later, licking her fingers after eating her second blueberry toaster pastry, Joy lay down on the couch and thought about her ever-present not-to-do list. It hadn't changed in months. Things not to do today: Panic. Feel regret. Drink alcohol. Take more than two naps. Things not to forget: car keys. Feed cats. Take shower. Xanax."

[Blaine Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

D K Cassidy explores the lives of characters first introduced in her previous book, “Spilt Milk”. The characters are all deeply disturbed individuals, but the author artfully weaves enough detail to make those people real. The writing is clean, simple prose that sometimes borders on poetry, and, by switching into each character’s point of view, we see some of their motivations, why they are so disturbed and separated from the world around them. Scenes in several of the stories, beginning in the first, border on magical realism and I found myself glad the author didn’t make clear whether or not those events were real, or the imaginings of a disturbed mind; Author D K Cassidy’s prose is an excellent example of the “less is more” rule. The characters and events are fleshed out so well they’ll stay with you long after the book has been read. This is a five-star read that I highly recommend to readers of any genre!

[Jesamine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious Reality is a wonderful, original tale. The story has twists and turns, but a highlight for this reader was the author's poetic writing style. D. K. Cassidy's careful choice of words draw the reader into the scene with a subtle or well-crafted sentence demonstrating that you do not need to over-write to entertain or tell a compelling story.

The best stories are based on well-created characters and in Curious Reality the author does a wonderful job in bringing these characters, some might call them misfits, to life, ensuring that the reader empathizes with them.

There is a hint of the macabre about this story, a touch of Edgar Allan Poe, and so Curious Reality should appeal to readers who like dipping into the darker side of life. But there are uplifting moments too and the characters, and the author's understanding of these characters, win you over.

A thought-provoking read from a talented author.

[Ju Ephraime · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.K. Cassidy’s ‘Curious Reality’ is my third book by this author, and like the precursor to this one, Spilt Milk, the author has once again introduced us to Caleb, Joy and George, the main characters in this her latest release. She takes us through the curious, highly dysfunctional lives of these individuals and the ways they interconnect: Joy appears able to go through walls, strung out on Xanax. Caleb and his curious music shop, Caleb’s Curiosities, where his inventory is made from human’s bones; and then, there’s George’s Eve, which he created from scratch. There were three common threads between these three strangers, Bartolome Bookstore, psychiatry, (when I came across the reference to Craig’s List, I was convinced I had entered another world), and the third connection between Joy and Caleb is truly, unexpectedly frightening! Interesting read!

[Jan Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This author blows my mind. Curious Reality is one of those books that you will read more than once. I like to call these books "onion books" as there are so many layers to it. You'll never uncover all the layers the first time around. It's one of those books that you keep thinking about long after you finished it. I started reading it in the morning, yesterday, and had to finish it before I went to sleep. But when I finished, sleep eluded me as I pondered the book.

D.K. Cassidy introduces us to characters you may have already met whilst reading "Spilt Milk" her first novel, which was as great a read. I really liked reading more about them. She has fleshed out the characters more, made them deeper and more complicated and cleverly entwined the lives of all three as they continue with their own stories. An inspired, insightful read.

[Sarah Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a relatively short book this review has been a long time coming; the first time I read it I was almost crippled with laughter, but I was left realising that I knew a group of characters extremely well. I was curious, so I read it again. The reality is the writer’s skill in giving every character depth. However mentally dysfunctional they may appear, or in fact actually are, there’s a logical reason for them being that way. Just one example; I don’t do spoilers. George, who you will love and feel sympathy for in equal measure, takes a job as a clown and is unexpectedly, in his opinion, good at it. He would be: people have been laughing at him for making a fool of himself all his life.

D K Cassidy has another fan – me!

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Circles of Reality

Lives converge. Caleb spent eight years in an institution. In a "curious" way, Joy saved herself when a stranger tried to kill her. George is a computer programmer with some engineering skills. He works as an elevator attendant, with an interesting hobby to keep him busy outside work. And just wait until you meet Eve.

D. K. Cassidy's Curious Reality is a compelling story. While the circles of "reality" overlap, the layers of psychological imagery add to the story. Ms. Cassidy's characters are real, with finely drawn details. It's a different sort of tale, one which stays with the reader.

[Aaron Saylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Curious Reality by D.K. Cassidy. The book is a series of intertwine short stories, a method of storytelling that I find particularly engaging. The character voices are thoughtful and unique, and although there are certainly darker elements the quick writing flows with an almost dreamlike quality. No words are wasted. (One of my favorite passages: "The obvious problem, of course, was finding human femurs. Legally, anyway. Or semi-legally. He didn’t want to be locked up again.")

Curious Reality moves rapidly but never loses its way, and never loses the readers interests. Highly recommended. I look forward to more by the author.

[Allison Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found 'Curious Reality' to be a an entrancing read. As in Cassidy's first book, 'Spilt Milk,' the short stories had an incredible amount of depth to them.

The characters were interesting and the ways their paths twist around each other will keep you turning the page.

As someone who has worked extensively with those who suffer from mental illness, I also appreciated the author's depiction of it. It felt very much like the things I have witnessed with clients in the past.

If you're looking for a book to take you somewhere else for a while, look no further than 'Curious Reality!'

[Deborah McClatchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this interesting and quirky read. I love author D.K. Cassidy’s works and this one did not disappoint! Once again, well-written characters you won’t soon forget. Full of page turning twists and turns that keep you on your toes. Joy, Caleb, and George are once again the main characters. I’m never one to give out any spoilers, but this one is a must read! I give this book 5 stars, and wish I could give more.

[Cherime MacFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Offbeat and quirky, this takes up where Spilt Milk leaves off. Several of the characters are followed in this second expansion from Spilt Milk. Follow them through their various realities where they collide.