A House in Bali Paperback – May 15, 2000

Delightful look back at Bali as it once was… Nearly a century ago now… there isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said - and said well - by some previous reviewers. McPhee was a twentieth century composer and his primary interest seems to be the unique and exotic music and dance of Bali. He covers that well without being overly pedantic. As another reviewer has suggested - look on YouTube for some actual videos that McPhee himself made of some of the principal characters in this lovely tale… especially the animated young dancer, Sampih. Admittedly this book is not going to be a compelling read for everyone - but those with some fascination with Bali, its music and culture will probably enjoy it. Ironically, McPhee chose to live in my favorite neighborhoods in Bali - Sayan, now a part of Ubud - where the weather is a tad cooler than the lowlands and the landscape has wonderful features - deep ravines and steep narrow ridges. (I read the kindle version so the photos were small and dark. I don’t know what the images in the printed version may be like.) Be well. Enjoy. ‘Sampai jumpa lagi!’

I chose this book because it was recommended online as a good read for first time travelers to Bali. I'm very grateful for that recommendation. As a first time traveler to Indonesia & Bali, House of Bali gave me an inciteful look into the Balinese culture & a very good understanding of the work & memorization involved in the gamelan music & lalong dancing. I had a much better appreciation when I had the pleasure of viewing & listening to both during wonderful performance s on the Island. The book flows well & is a very easy read. I highly recommend it if you're planning a trip to Bali. I started it before my trip & read it throughout my Bali adventure. It was a great travel companion.

From beginning to end a delightful true story of the authors life in Bali. The writing was so colorful and lively and interesting. The stories were full of insight and humor, and so touching.I have lived in Bali for 10 years and finally understood so much about the balinese from these tales. I couldn't stop reading. A true delight

An elegant book, beautifully written, covering three long visits to Bali over the 1930s. A memoir really, he describes his experiences finding his way around Bali, building a home, exploring, friending many Balinese, high and low. As he begins his exploration of Balinese music he observes and takes notes, then shifts into exploration seeking obscure instruments and musicians in hidden corners of the island, and finally a participant in the culture he is observing as he helps revitalize musical groups and styles, and supports a promising dancer. The portraits of Bali, his friends, the island, its music and its central place in culture is a treasure. Along with Miguel and Rosa Covarrubias' contemporary "Island of Bali" a must if you'd like to get a sense of Bali as it was first discovered by appreciative western visitors. And did I mention it's beautifully written? A joy.

I read this while in Bali. As a musician, this was dear to my heart. I liked this book for its insight into Balinese culture and history.

Good read on a terrace in Ubud on a rainy afternoon. Brings into clear contrast the back-water Bali that McPhee encountered in the 30's with the modernized tourist destination it is today. However, I found McPhee's thinly-veiled promotion of Bali as a pedophile's paradise disturbing.

For anyone interested in what Bali was like in the 'old days', (the 1930's) this book is a treasure. Skillful prose, and insightful on a human level. This is my ideal in a travel book, if I may term it that.Though the Bali of McPhee is gone forever, read it before you visit the Island.

Having just traveled to Bali, this glimpse of a very much different and yet very recognizable Bali of the past was an absolute delight. Well written and charming.