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A Dignified Exit

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Monroe Colson, a successful children’s book illustrator living in small-town Texas, baffles family and friends when he unceremoniously announces he’s moving to Mexico, ostensibly to paint.

In Mexico, the true nature of his mysterious behavior not only comes to light, but takes an unexpected turn when he runs into a vibrant young American woman who has been abandoned, penniless, by her fiancé.

This emotionally powerful and often humorous story with its controversial subject matter is a poignant testament to the resilience of the human heart.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2011

84 people are currently reading
318 people want to read

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John J. Asher

8 books7 followers

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5 stars
185 (42%)
4 stars
146 (33%)
3 stars
80 (18%)
2 stars
22 (5%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Tosh McIntosh.
Author 29 books7 followers
December 30, 2011
I generally read commercial fiction, mysteries and thrillers for the most part, so it's a rare day that a book like John J. Asher's 'A Dignified Exit' finds its way onto my book shelves. And to provide full disclosure, the author is a friend of mine for whom I have the greatest respect as a writer and artist.

Before purchasing the paperback edition, I'd read bits and pieces, including a broad overview as I helped format his manuscript for an eBook. And it is safe to say that nothing in those "snacks" could have prepared me for sitting down to the full meal.

I'm currently less than 100 pages into the book, and back on page one I would have never predicted the smooth and effortless way Asher manages to maneuver his way past my mystery/thriller bias with the character of Monroe Colson. No action heroes here, only a flawed man, with poignant backstory aplenty, who in essence dares me not to engage with him on a journey to a dignified exit.

This review is a work in progress, and I will return to it soon as I continue to explore this marvelous book.

Update: I am now halfway through the book. Asher is holding this "thriller guy's" interest in spite of the languid pacing, which, like the setting (Mexico), has a siesta quality that I would normally find boring and reason enough to put the book down for good.

He does it with a style rich in detail, and which engages all the senses. His descriptions of the scenery, sounds, aromas, characters, and situations flow from the mind of an artist and paint a word picture that comes alive on the page.

But the truly remarkable element of this novel for me is the way in which Asher intersects the lives of Monroe Colson and Angelina Farretti. I might have initially likened the challenge to the futility of mixing water and oil, but he succeeds with a skillful crafting of scenes that leave me with conflicting emotional involvement in the story and its characters.

I know where this is going, but I very much want events to reverse course, or at least change direction. It's almost if I expect something impossible to happen. To make it an easier story to read. To leave me less involved so I don't care as much. In other words, to write the story the way I might.

Asher flinches not from his vision, of course, and dares me to put his novel down. And if the truth be told, he probably knows I won't.

Update: I finished the book last night. As the pages-to-go thinned within my right hand, I dreaded what I knew was coming, knew it would be painful, and yet something within me held out for a ray of hope that I'd be wrong.

No spoilers here in closing, just that Asher left me with a profound sense of bittersweet, a combination of sadness and hope, as if experiencing a sunset and a new dawn at the same moment.

For what it's worth, this thriller guy highly recommends 'A Dignified Exit' as a beautifully crafted, moving story that tugs the heartstrings in multiple directions at once.
Author 18 books7 followers
January 19, 2012
Monroe Colson, a not-very-successful painter in his late fifties who has managed to make a good living as an illustrator of children’s books, abruptly departs the small Texas town where he lives and works, leaving behind his numerous friends, and his painfully estranged family, and drives to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico to spend a quiet year doing what he loves most. A chance encounter with a young woman, as might be expected, upends his carefully prepared plan. They establish an uneasy platonic friendship within which they both work very hard to avoid having their own emotional bruises bumped up against. They are destined, however, to learn what they already know in their hearts: true relationships don’t work that way.

John Asher is a talented artist, as can be clearly seen in his illustration for the cover, and he writes with a talented artist’s eye. His poignant words deftly recreate both the physical landscape of a Mexico steeped in its past and the emotional cloudscape of two people trying not to fall in love.

Art is at the heart of this novel. In it, Monroe offers a definition; “... art is the most of what you expect next combined with the least of what you expect next.” It’s an apt definition that fully applies to A Dignified Exit.
Profile Image for Larry Kegley.
10 reviews
August 15, 2012
Consider John J. Asher a Master Wordsmith.

Totally captivated by "A Dignified Exit". Main characters are truly memorable and likeable, even if flawed. Well developed minor characters. I don't want to offer any spoilers, but will admit that my heartstrings were deeply "plucked". The writer impressed me as a master craftsman/wordsmith. He displays an artistic mastery of the written word. Became obvious that this writer has a deep understanding of sketching, painting and fine art. Reflecting that knowledge with language was truly awesome. I rated this 5 stars only because there were no more stars. As a disclaimer, I do not know Mr. Asher and this is the first of his writings that I have read.
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Profile Image for Melanie.
458 reviews14 followers
November 30, 2012
I think the question this book attempts to answer is when is your life really over? Monroe Colson gets a diagnosis of cancer that will kill him in a year. Thinking to spare his family (mostly estranged) and friends, he takes off to Mexico to spend the rest of his days painting. He gives up his existence as a vital member of a close group of friends in his small town to seek out solitude and to face death alone. But then he meets Angelina and, against his will, develops a new friendship that is possibly the closest of his life. There are some twists and turns at the end that I don't want to give away, but the reader is left questioning when a person's life really is over and if it is possible to make an intelligent decision about it.

I loved the book with it's slow, dreamy pace and it's wonderful descriptions of Mexico. The end is maybe a little trite but not enough to ruin the rest of the book.
Profile Image for Patty.
2,687 reviews118 followers
May 26, 2013
I am hesitant to read self-published books. I know that not all good writers get published, but I also know that most self-published books lack good editing. That is part of what writers should expect from publishing houses - access to a good editor.

So, when I had an opportunity to get this book for free I was hesitant. The reviews on Amazon were good and the subject matter seemed interesting, so what did I have to lose? Free is free.

I enjoyed this story. Monroe Colson, an artist, has a personal reason for moving to Mexico. The last thing he expects is to make friends with a young woman, Angelina. Not surprisingly, what Colson had visualized as a simple trip away from home gets much more complicated.

I recommend this novel to those like me who are skeptical of self-published fiction, to readers who would like to have their own dignified exit and to anyone who believes that love can conquer all.
Profile Image for Marti.
933 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2013
I really loved almost everything about this book. In some ways it was a bit predictable but it was gentle, warm, and life affirming. Basically, a man, an artist, who knows he has terminal cancer leaves his home, friends, and family to move to Mexico in order to die alone. In a "twist of fate" he meets a young woman who has just been left penniless by her fiance. She ultimately has an extraordinary influence on him. Along the way, she teaches him the importance of friends and family even though she herself doesn't really have friends or family upon whom to rely. This was a lovely, gentle book that I would whole-heartedly recommend to anyone who likes to read contemporary fiction involving relationships.
Profile Image for Nina.
232 reviews2 followers
Read
February 27, 2014
did not fail to provide the physically-frail-but-mentally-strong-woman-changes-life-of-somehow-troubled-man dynamic i've been trying to avoid, but it was cute in a strange way anyway. fit easily between much denser novels on my reading list, The Shining and Oblomov. made me hungry on the bus cuz there were so many descriptions of delicious-sounding meals.
Profile Image for Dan.
103 reviews
June 15, 2013
Eh. All the restaurant scenes and details about who ate what... distracting fluff and boring. I give it 2 stars because on a rare occasion Asher gave me something to chew on for a very brief moment. But otherwise, generally tiring.
Profile Image for Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§).
827 reviews75 followers
November 30, 2021
I don’t know how this book found it’s way onto my Kindle but I’m so happy it did. John. J Asher I’d never heard of before but I’m very glad to see that he has more books that I can read in the future. This story is about a children’s book illustrator and artist in his mid 50’s who packs up his life in Texas without notice to his estranged family (ex wife and grown up sick son). He has very good close friends who he tells of his plan at the very last minute. He moves to a small town in Mexico hoping to paint. Whilst dining out one evening he gets embroiled in an incident involving a young women half his age and her finances. The story takes off from this point and is told in beautiful writing style, with great taste and sometimes humour. I became very attached to the two main characters and his small group of friends. I recommend it as an excellent read.
75 reviews
July 28, 2019
Fabulous! Beautifully written and heartwarming.

I read this lovely story in two sittings. Up way too late last night and finished today in time for dinner. Definitely a "cannot put down" love story, intellectual and well meaning. A story of regret and of hope. Of friends old and new and the time honored meaning of family. The characters are people you would want to meet in this journey of life. Bravo Mr. Asher.
Profile Image for Diane Secchiaroli.
698 reviews22 followers
July 7, 2019
An artist who has terminal cancer leaves his home to live in San Michel, Mexico because he doesn’t want his friends to see him die. As soon as he gets to Mexico he meets a young woman who has been left stranded by her fiancé. This is a story about their friendships wonder subsequent return to his hometown.
350 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2019
Very good book

Wow, John Asher does it again. He lures you in with brilliant writing full of descriptive characters, places, events and even foods, then he reaches inside you and pulls all kinds of emotions from you. I highly recommend this one. You’ll enjoy it.
Profile Image for Tammy.
152 reviews
January 15, 2020
With lots of local color, Asher delivers a wonderful plot-driven novel about love that Leo Buscaglia might even enjoy. Asher's style is very "Steinbeck" in may ways: clean, clear, and easy, which reflects his character's purpose in going to Mexico to live out his days.
Profile Image for C.L..
Author 1 book
July 14, 2018
This is a heart warming story. I just finished and miss Monroe and Angelina already. I long to find that little town in Mexico.

The descriptions and the pace were perfect. Excellent book.
Profile Image for Kathy.
34 reviews
May 22, 2019
Enjoyed the story

Touching story. Loved the characters. Makes me want to live in small town Texas and go to Mexico. Difficult to contemplate the end.
55 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2020
The Amazing description of Mexico makes want to visit Mexico and enjoy San Miguel. The harmony among the characters was very enjoyable and the tradegy heart breaking.
Profile Image for Peg Hubbard.
Author 2 books3 followers
April 28, 2014
John Asher pulls us into this story of Monroe right from the beginning with his skillful descriptions of where we are, the colors, the smells, the feelings in the air. Monroe Colson is an artist, living in small-town Texas. Despite his generous spirit, he is unhappily estranged from his family, and dissatisfied with his life. He's closing up shop and heading to Mexico, ostensibly for a year, to pursue his art and "find himself".

Once there, the fates intervene in the form of a beautiful young American woman who has been abandoned there by her fiance who also took all their money with him. Monroe's generous spirit overcomes his desire to be alone and he tries to help her out.

There is so much to like about this book! The pictures Asher paints of Mexico, the culture, the art, the life styles draw the reader in -- I felt like I had been there, and should I ever find myself there, could find my way around with no problems! The characters are real, and as we watch the dance between them all, we delve deeper into their essence and humanity. Despite their flaws, Asher draws their pathos with enough humor to keep the story from becoming dramatic or stereotyped. Monroe finds himself making other friends in Mexico, despite his desire to be reclusive, and as he does, we find ourselves engaged in the outcome of this beautifully painted book.

We can tell that John J. Asher is an artist from the cover of his book, but he paints with words just as beautifully. This is a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
Profile Image for Ellen.
269 reviews19 followers
June 28, 2013
The theme of this book is an interesting one. Monroe Colson leaves his good friends in small-town Texas, along with an assortment of close and estranged family, and moves to Mexico. He does so because he is terminally ill and wants to spare himself and them from an agonizing process of failing health and long goodbyes. He plans to live alone in San Miguel, Mexico and get back to his painting after a career as an illustrator of children's books. Destiny has other plans for Monroe. He meets a woman less than half his age who is left penniless and homeless by her fiance. He decides to take her in and help her get back on her feet by hiring her as his housekeeper. The two become close and his plans evolve over time. The question for Monroe is whether he is doing a favor for his family and friends by not telling them he is sick and by staying away, or depriving them of a choice to be with him at the end.

I thought this book was good, although it probably could have been shorter. I enjoyed his mentions of towns, streets, and places of business near Austin because I lived there for several years. Since the author lives in Texas, he gets the dialect right. One small complaint is that he makes Angelina, from MN, sound like she's from small-town Texas as well. I've lived in lots of places and have heard a lot of local accents and expresssions and some of her dialogue didn't ring true. Not a big problem.
Profile Image for Hari Brandl.
515 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2020
This is another book that could have been much better. The two main characters were sympathetic but rather dull. The plot was predictable, and included too much detail (like describing Angelina's different outfits, and what the two ate). The episodes of flirtation between the two were uncomfortable for me; they didn't jibe with Monroe's personality as I perceived it.
Given the circumstances of Angelina and Monroe meeting in Mexico, as well as the reason why Monroe moved to Mexico, there were excellent opportunities for exploring themes like dealing with death and dying, domestic abuse, family dysfunction. The tone of the initial meeting with Ray could have been expanded upon and carried over to the reunion instead of being so easily resolved. Where was the anger? The working through?
There were good parts, though. When Mr Asher wrote about art, for example. On the whole the writing was enjoyable and satisfying, well paced though a little long. I think I might have liked more backstory about the people in Periwinkle. Monroe seemed to have more depth in that locale.
Profile Image for Mandy.
10 reviews5 followers
July 27, 2012
Wow. I just finished this book and immediately started writing a review while my feelings are fresh in my mind. This is a very sweet love story really, love between a father and a son, love between a man and a woman. I won't go into actual details of the story as so many have already done that in prior reviews but I have to say the book captured me around page 100 and I couldn't stop reading until I finished it. My eyes are red and I am snuffling so much that I look like I have a cold so this is a definite "tear jerker" in my opinion. The story tends to ramble in spots and gets really descriptive sometimes but if you can push past those small things you will find a noble story of love here.
Profile Image for Marti.
210 reviews6 followers
July 28, 2012
I really loved almost everything about this book. In some ways it was a bit predictable but it was gentle, warm, and life affirming. Basically, a man, an artist, who knows he has terminal cancer leaves his home, friends, and family to move to Mexico in order to die alone. In a "twist of fate" he meets a young woman who has just been left penniless by her fiance. She ultimately has an extraordinary influence on him. Along the way, she teaches him the importance of friends and family even though she herself doesn't really have friends or family upon whom to rely. This was a lovely, gentle book that I would whole-heartedly recommend to anyone who likes to read contemporary fiction involving relationships.
Profile Image for Gina.
279 reviews
December 9, 2013
An older man, Monroe, recently diagnosised with cancer decides to leave everything and everyone he knows to go down to Mexico and live out the remaining days of his life. He doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. His path crosses with a young lady, Angelina, who has been stranded in Mexico after an argument with her fiancee. Monroe offers her a job to cook for him and help around his place for 4 weeks until she can earn enough to get back to the states. A very warm friendship develops between the two of them. Angelina breaths life into Monroe and he provides her security and stability that she has never experienced. The ending is inevitable, but life goes on. Monroe makes sure Angelina will be ok and she will continue his legacy.
Profile Image for Amelia.
Author 1 book4 followers
March 2, 2012
I opened this book to refresh my memory of what it was about. I was thinning the books on my Kindle, and thought this might be one to send to the archives for a while. I didn't stop reading until I finished it.

Monroe moves to Mexico, leaving his friends and family behind, including an estranged ex-wife and an adult son who resents him, and he plans to cut all ties and live a reclusive life. Despite himself, he doesn't succeed, particularly when Angelina, a young American left stranded by her nasty ex-fiance, drops into his life.

I really enjoyed this book, and give it 4 & 1/2 stars, rounded up.
Profile Image for Mariarose.
60 reviews3 followers
August 14, 2012
I read this book because it was free on my Kindle and it didn't stir strong feeling of repulsion. I can't say the book changed my life or that I will even remember having read it in 6 months, but it did the job. Not unlike eating plain oatmeal....satisfying enough that you finish it, but not particularly special.

I will say that Asher painted a rather romantic view of Mexico which was rather surprising. I think of Mexico and unfortunately my mind conjures up drug lords, beheadings, poverty and disease---just the stuff you see on the news. So, that was an unexpected delight.
Profile Image for Dani N.
445 reviews63 followers
June 19, 2016
Overall, A Dignified Exit was an enjoyable read. However, I felt that the story became drawn out and a bit predictable at some point. The characters were pleasant enough, but I just never felt the emotional attachment to them that I thought I should have with this story. I won't elaborate too much because I hate spoilers. I just expected more emotionally from this story and somehow it fell short. I don't have complaints about having spent my time reading A Dignified Exit. It was entertaining to an extent and helped passed the time. I just wanted more emotion.
162 reviews4 followers
September 18, 2012
When downloading a freebie I do not expect anything above average. Happily this does not always hold true as I found this book to be very entertaining. The author weaves together several story lines- deep friendship,a Spring-Winter romance,how an artist works,a visit to Mexico,family ties,and dealing with death- in a light,coherent satisfying way. The characters were lovable,funny,people you would want to hang with. The ending was emotionally satisfying even if you guess the conclusion.

I think the book is a worth while read, and as you read it keep the title in mind.
Profile Image for Lara Reznik.
Author 5 books9 followers
December 12, 2012
A DIGNIFIED EXIT kept me reading from beginning to end. John J. Asher has a gift of writing beautiful prose that rarely is seen in today's commercial fiction. Think Barbara Kingsolver, Pat Conroy, or Tom Clancy.

The story has all the elements of a great read: interesting characters, an action filled plot with lots of unexpected twists and turns, and heart. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes good literary fiction.

Retired I.T. Manager/ Author
54 reviews
July 25, 2015
Joy to read

Having spent time as an expat south of the border I was reminded of the freedom of my well spent youth. I am now older than Monroe but was Angelina's age when I traveled and lived outside of the US I am reminded of the quick bond of closeness that develops in such an environment. I,too, was saved by a generous and caring Canadian couple who bailed me out of a tricky situation in Guatemala. I loved this book and heartily recommend it.
78 reviews
July 31, 2015
When I began reading this book bits and pieces seemed familiar but it was not on my Goodreads "read" list so I continued to read. Finally I became certain that I had indeed read it, nevertheless I continued to read. I'm glad I did! Other than small incidents ringing familiar I was thoroughly engaged and delighted by the story. It is beautifully written with humor and emotion and the realities of life and death.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,387 reviews19 followers
September 6, 2014
There was much more to this Kindle Freebie than I expected ! ( I love when that happens ) A Dignified Exit is a gentle and entertaining look at the fact we are always capable of learning and changing . It's a beautiful reminder that life's teachers can be someone totally unexpected . Very touching and enjoyable read .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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