Great Again


Fiction - Cultural
296 Pages
Reviewed on 08/07/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Born in the United States, Bill spent his teen years in Central America before returning to the US to attend college. His years in Central America gave him a special awareness of the people and culture there, but his US citizenship provided him with solid insight into American Culture. His book, Great Again, merges his two backgrounds for what he hopes is a more realistic picture of the relationship between the two. And as the epigraph of the book states, "We are more alike than we are different."

    Book Review

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

Jack O’Mally, an aging ex-Marine and staunch Republican, has anything but love for liberals, left-wing media, and everything that drains America of its greatness. In Jack’s “book”, it is especially foreign immigrants, whom he calls “illegals”, and people of color, who are notoriously steering America away from its glory. But this is about to change. Cornered into a financial problem by his unchecked spending habits, Jack is forced to sell his house on the East Coast in one of New Jersey’s affluent neighborhoods. However, he has to get the house ready first, and what better way to do that than to hire cheap labor from the immigrants he despises? Jack finds himself working with Ana, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, and Sofia, her sixteen-year-old rebellious daughter. What begins as a calculated move to save money turns into a journey of self-growth and change of heart as the two different worlds of stubborn Jack and strong-headed Sofia clash. Find out more in Bill Day’s Great Again.

You won't be able to peel your eyes off this page-turner until you are at the end. Bill Day’s Great Again is a must-read for cultural, drama, and comedy lovers. From the first page I could tell Bill is a tremendously gifted author. The evocative depictions of the scenes colorfully brought Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey’s rich white neighborhood, and Red Bank, New Jersey’s township and a Latino haven, to life. The authentic tone of the ingenious plot gave the story the realistic edge of a sociocultural documentary, yet Bill’s knack for tremendously dramatic scenes made reading feel like I was watching a contemporary Hollywood comedy movie. I could not get enough of Jack and Sofia’s spirited and witty battle of wills. Bill’s depictions of the cast’s emotions and traits allowed me to connect with them. I loved this book and, so far, it’s the best story I’ve read this year. I’m looking forward to reading more of Bill’s amazing work.

K.C. Finn

Great Again is a work of fiction by author Bill Day in the cultural issues and politics genres. It is more suited for the adult reading audience as it contains explicit language. The novel follows Jack O'Mally, a man filled with resentment toward liberal elites, the media, and anyone he believes has diminished America's greatness. His deep-seated prejudices against people of color and immigrants are challenged when he encounters Sofia Rivera, a 16-year-old undocumented immigrant who struggles with assimilation. Through their unlikely relationship, Jack is forced to confront his biases and begins a transformative journey that redefines his understanding of what it means to make America 'Great Again.' Day's narrative skillfully navigates complex social issues, creating a story that is both timely and thought-provoking.

Author Bill Day has created a challenging and enlightening work that is a powerful exploration of prejudice, identity, and the possibility of personal transformation. Day's characterization is particularly noteworthy, especially in the portrayal of Jack O'Mally. Initially, Jack is presented as a difficult character to empathize with due to his deep-rooted biases and harsh views. However, Day's skillful narrative development allows readers to witness Jack's gradual awakening to the humanity of those he once despised, showing the author's talent for character growth and nuanced storytelling. The character of Sofia Rivera is equally well-crafted, with Day imbuing her with resilience and strength that serve as a counterpoint to Jack's initial worldview. Day's prose is direct and impactful, effectively conveying the tension between different worldviews in modern America. The author's ability to underscore the importance of dialogue and personal growth in overcoming prejudice is particularly commendable. Overall, Great Again is a timely and thought-provoking work that challenges readers to confront their own biases and consider the true meaning of greatness in a diverse society.

Alija Turkovic

Great Again by Bill Day demonstrates how an unlikely friendship can result in profound and sincere inner change. Jack O’Mally, a staunch political traditionalist, is getting ready to sell his house. He feels pressured into selling and is not pleased about it. Jack injures himself while cleaning and has to hire two undocumented immigrants (a teenager, Sofia, and her mother) to finish the job. Sofia has a rebellious personality, while Jack is very rigid and conservative. Their differences in personal worldviews and ideologies cause them to clash, but it also gives both characters something to reflect on other than their individual tightly-held views. But is their interaction enough to change Jack's xenophobia into compassion and inclusion?

Great Again is an incredibly thought-provoking novel that reminds us how diversity and inclusion are social/political ideologies that need to be embraced rather than feared. Bill Day perfectly nails Sofia's teenage angst and combative spirit right on the head. Even though she represents the progressive, angry youth of our world who feel oppressed by the lack of all-inclusive change, her viewpoints are still very valid--this fact is revealed gradually in the novel. Sofia is very skilled at getting into Jack's head. At the same time, she expertly gets into our heads and invites us to challenge our worldviews as well. The author takes a realistic approach to directing the narrative. He reminds us that there are no immediate answers to the political tension that exists within the world. However, an inclusive approach will yield more promising results. If you are a fan of dramatic novels with a hint of social issues and political intrigue, Great Again is the perfect book for you.

Bill Day

Here is another review from Booklife/Publishers Weekly !

Day debuts with a provocative and timely novel delving into the tangle of political polarization, immigration, and personal transformation in contemporary America. When disgruntled conservative Jack O’Malley—injured after a fall from his roof while cleaning gutters—needs a cleaning service to get his house in shape to sell, he hires 16-year-old Sofia Rivera and her mother, undocumented immigrants from El Salvador, kickstarting an uneasy alliance that challenges preconceptions and explores the potential for understanding across deep societal divides. Sofia’s teenage defiance incites Jack’s military compulsion for law and order, propelling the two into an entertaining give and take that leaves them both deeplyreflective.

“Somehow, this train wreck of a girl has blown past the perimeter and reached command and control. She has nailed him in the worst way. She has made him see something of himself in her” Day writes of Sofia’s unique talent to crawl under Jack’s skin and leave him feeling vulnerable. Though the premise of an unlikely duo coming together to bridge ideological gaps is not new, Day's execution feels fresh and relevant to current societal tensions, and he avoids easy resolutions, opting instead for a more realistic and nuanced exploration of how people can change when their worldviews are challenged.

Some readers may find the initial characterizations of Jack and Sofia stereotypical, but the narrative rewards patience, as the characters undergo a profound transformation while gaining depth and complexity. Readers will be captivated as Jack’s exterior softens and he begins to stand up for Sofia and her mother, just as much as they will be when Sofia’s interactions with Jack prompt her to reflect on her own life choices, including her excitable boyfriend, Memo—who loves bombs, overpromises, and drips emotions at every second—and her desire to return to El Salvador. The book concludes with a tender picture of reconciliation—and rebirth.