More Than Everything: My Voyage with the Gods of Love

by Beatrix Ost

“Beatrix uses words like she uses paint. . .with brush strokes so vivid and rich I feel as if I’m there watching as her story unfolds. I love this book!” –Sissy Spacek Beatrix Ost’s memoir of her artistic awakening and early marriage opens on the heels of Germany’s recovery from the self-imposed disasters of World War II. She is part of the new generation that dances disobediently in the bombed-out villas and underground jazz caverns of Munich. Beatrix rides the dynamic decade up through the world of art, fashion, and cinema into the revolution of politics and consciousness. Marriage to the self-made prodigy and archaeologist, Ferdinand, impresario of the Hot Club, draws her into the mystical realm of the ancient Mexican gods. Soon, two sons are born. They make an odyssey through Mexico where, under the wing of the artistic elite, their homes full of Riveras and Kahlos, the initial impression is intoxicating. But the further they press inland, the more Ferdinand loses himself in his obsession and addictions. Ost draws us into the vortex of human craving to portray the complexities of her early marriage to a man scarred by the war, climbing the magical mountain of his own desires. Accompanied by the author’s artwork and photographs from her private collection, Ost “…shakes free of an impossibly dark life as the wife of an alcoholic…brushes off the stardust of romance and, stepping back in the light, comes into her own.” (Barbara Epler, President, New Directions Publishing)

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[K.E. Lanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrix Ost is an artist, model, and actress—her extraordinary life played out on a stage of pain and pleasure. Set in the aftermath of post-WWII, More Than Everything is Ost’s coming of age memoir, edged with the shadows and light of the human soul, as she drifts from the mountains of Bavaria Germany to the exotic hinterlands of Mexico. A lovely memoir! My question as I finished this book—what happened next?

Excerpt from More Than Everything:

“A longing, something lost, made us cling to what we had found in this ruin. Nothing for the petit bourgeois. A rebellion, lusty disorder, on the slope between appetite and prohibition. It vibrated like china on a tray—only we knew the secret code, which we did not cast doubt upon with unnecessary questions.” – Beatrix Ost, More Than Everything

[Deborah Parker]

Intriguing life with encounters with many famous personages of the 20th century--Louis Armstrong, Diego Rivera and many others--spliced with remnants from German philosophers and poets, especially Goethe.

[Priya M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently one of my all-time favourite reads, unsurpassed! Beatrix takes us on a journey that feels gleeful, nourishing, and fresh. Her writing style is phenomenal, like poetic mind-teasers. I like to savour snippet quotes, and roll them over in 'my being' – is that weird? I can't say enough good things about this read, this quiet little number deserves to be a worldwide sensation.

Also, it happened to be a staff-pick at my local bookshop (bringing Beatrix's story to me in a serendipitous way – thank you, universe).

Sissy Spacek had written a review:
"Beatrix uses words like she uses paint. . .with brush strokes so vivid and rich I feel as if I'm there watching as her story unfolds. I love this book!" which pretty much sealed the deal, fully agree.