According to the New York Times the first volume of Ashton
Applewhite's book of politically incorrect tasteless jokes was the
biggest-selling mass-market book of 1983. Fresh from-college when
the series was created, she wrote under a pseudonym, Blanche Knott
(a pun, directing the reader to "blanch not" at the offensive
nature of the jokes within).
Since, then Applewhite's graced the New York Times best seller
list a few more times and these days her pen is poised to puncture
the ageist bubble in which we currently dwell. Author too of
Cutting Loose: Why women who end their marriages do so well,
Ashton's not your typical sixty-something. She's a writer,
journalist, divorcee and mother (oh and she has a lesbian daughter)
with a couple of hilarious blogs about ageing under her belt.
On Staying
Vertical she cross-references her latest blog Yo, Is This Ageist to which
ignenues of all ages submit questions relating to age. A recent
inquisitor asked her what a GILF is and how she could become one.
Applewhite's response? "MILF is a porn term for Moms I'd Like to
Fuck. if you're a grandmother (or are old enough to be one)
and have sexual energy, congratulations! you're a GILF."
If you want to sample her off-message approach to happy ageing,
you're in luck. Applewhite is in London for one night only on
Friday 14 September in Farringdon. If you're interested in the
topic of ageing you'll love it; if you're not come along anyway -
Applewhite will get you thinking about ageing in a new way. "I'm
interested in why we're so ambivalent about the prospect of much
longer lives - which I was too, until I learned more."
Ashton Applewhite presents: "Old age sucks and its going to be
great" at 6.30-8pm on Friday 14 September at The Free Word Centre,
60 Farringdon Road, London. Entrance is free.
