A House in Bali. Illustrated

Colin McPhee’s A House in Bali is a lyrical memoir that transports the reader to the enchanting world of Bali in the 1930s, when the island was still largely untouched by Western influence. A Canadian-born composer, McPhee arrived in search of new musical horizons and found himself captivated by the island’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and above all, its extraordinary gamelan music.Blending personal recollections with vivid ethnographic detail, McPhee paints an intimate portrait of daily life in a Balinese village—its rituals, festivals, and artistry—while also capturing the island’s spiritual essence. His encounters with dancers, musicians, and local families reveal not only the uniqueness of Balinese tradition but also its deep connection between art, community, and the natural world. Written with poetic sensitivity and the eye of both a traveler and a musician, A House in Bali remains a classic of travel literature and ethnomusicology. It is at once a personal journey of discovery and a timeless document of a culture on the cusp of change.