A Little Bit One O'clock

by William Ingram

In this honest, heart-warming book, William Ingram shares a series of intimate moments that together sketch an illuminating portrait of a Balinese family. With wit and sensitivity, he relates captivating storiesfrom that of a special ceremony to stop a childs mischievousness to a poignant love-match which almost splits the family. His narrative explores the web of relationships that ties the members of the family to one another, their community and their ancestors. At the same time he candidly discloses a personal cross-cultural journey. Some of our notions of Bali as a paradise are affirmed by Ingrams tale. Others are dispelled only to reveal a resilient people who forgive life its tragedies and celebrate its gifts.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2007

About the author

William Ingram has lived in Bali since 1993 where he is co-director of Threads of Life.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found out about this book through Amazon and decided to buy it. When it came I realized I know the family the book was about, a Hindi family living in Ubud, Bali, where my siblings and I had stayed in 1999.
So far its been a lot of fun.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivates all the reasons why i LOVE Bali

[Thinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I attend the program in Bali, I asked my dad which book should I read? Then, my dad gave me this book and told me that it explained a lot about the culture of people from Bali.

When I first read, all I remember was Jean saw the spirits. I was also busy remembering people names. I did not finish the book until I arrive Bali. The time I was at the Bali was the celebration time of Galungan. I kind of have sense about the celebration. Also, whenever I saw something, I was like ‘oh... the book mentioned about this and that.’

I went to Ubud twice because I wanted to visit RumahRoda and Threads Of Life. The first time I went to Ubud, I have limited time so I couldn’t find it so I went there again just to visit those two places. And guess what? I had meal at RumahRoda place and I had a chance to talk with Darta. I even got his signature. I didn’t meet with William or Jean but I was happy enough to meet with main characters from the book.

It took me another week to finish the book after I came back from
Bali. The book give me the reminisces of Bali and I am happy. William did write both the pain and the love of living in Bali. And here is my favorite quote from the book. ‘So many people, ourselves included, come to Bali in search of beauty and in reaction to some dark feeling of emptiness within ourselves. We come with minds full of questions and pockets full of money hoping to appropriate, by straightforward purchase or a more subtle osmosis, some small quantum of light to illuminate the gaping space within. We come with a desperate need for some of their light to touch us. The two-fold miracles is not only that it does, but that they do willingly give their light away.’

[Margaret Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this compact treasure while traveling in Indonesia and fully enjoyed hearing about the couple's experience in Bali. The mystical feel of the place and the elaborate celebrations and ceremonies there are so immersive; this book brought back the feeling exactly. I am pretty scientific in outlook, but could totally believe in ghosts while living among the temples.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

charming cultural introduction to Bali: a window into understanding the elaborate familial and community ties, the richness of the religion and arts. It worked as a charm: going to Bali next May for a month!

[Kailah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars really. I enjoyed the book, but it was slow-going. Not terrifically well-written but full of small insights and anecdotes and written with a lot of heart. Added depth to my own (much shorter) experience of also living with a Balinese family. It was fun to recognize cultural aspects and places from my time there.... but as a literary work.... so-so.

[Kayce Hughlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm traveling to Bali soon and wanted something different than the travel guides of where to go and what to see. This book offers an inside look into one Balinese family and the American author who lived with them in Ubud and traveled some around Indonesia. It's a good story.

[dianne b. · Rating 1 out of 5]

trying to get a feel for Bali before we leave in 2 days.
some cute anecdotes, but the writing is mediocre and strained.