The King of Aloe Vera

“A warm antidote to loneliness . . . . Life, Moniz seems to say, is not about curating experiences or selecting people whom we deem worthy of care. It’s about noticing who’s already there and could use some extra tending.”—Hannah Bae, San Francisco Chronicle

"Tomas Moniz finds wonder and wisdom in the unseen souls living below the gleaming surfaces of tomorrow’s city, the ones who really make a place what it is. Here is an unforgettable tale of a grieving elderly vato and a restless young street kid who need each other more than they know. The King of Aloe Vera is a love song for the weird old Bay Area, a funny valentine for all her vitalizing eccentrics, and a tender meditation on how to make a well-lived life amid endless chaos and heartbreak.”—Jeff Chang, author of Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

"One of the best parts of this truly sweet and never cloying novel is the tension between Rey’s willingness to venture out of his comfort zone (as when he discovers a velour Gucci tracksuit suits him well) and his determination to enjoy his quiet pleasures (bananas drizzled with honey, a barbacoa burrito). Beneath the sweetness lies deep sadness, and a choice Rey considers that will remind readers that grief takes many forms and can last a long, long time. The characters are so authentically rendered  . . . readers will root for them.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The King of Aloe Vera is rich with the wit, humor, and huge heart characteristic of the work of Tomas Moniz. Wrestling with questions of home and belonging, grief and connection, the novel is also a stunning ode to the vibrant and immersive Mission District, and to forging friendships where we least expect. This is a triumphant story of what it means to be fully alive, and Moniz is the most generous and wise storyteller.”—Megan Kakimoto, author of Every Drop Is A Man's Nightmare

“A 70-something widower forges an unexpected bond with a 21-year-old queer woman who’s in trouble with the law in this charming novel . . .  Their friendship feels genuine, and Moniz succeeds in getting the reader to root for his flawed but lovable characters. It’s a gem.”—Publishers Weekly

"What a tender, emotional ride! The King of Aloe Vera is not only a love letter to San Francisco’s Mission District but a novel about the tendrils of grief and finding hope in unlikely connections. Tomas Moniz has created the hero of our times, the elderly Rey armed with his broom who shows readers how to see and live. Get ready to cry!" —Lilliam Rivera, author of Tiny Threads

“Moniz’s exceptional novel with well-developed characters is about friendship, neighborhood, and community. It is highly recommended for public library collections.”—Library Journal

“Moniz offers both a love letter to San Francisco in its complex glory and a refreshingly clear-eyed look at leaving what you’ve loved behind.”—Booklist

“Moniz gracefully explores Latino identity, aging, and the kinship that can develop across generations.”—Alta Journal

“The King of Aloe Vera by Tomas Moniz is indeed a ‘warm and funny novel about love and community,’ a story of quirky people doing brave things and challenging all of us to think about how our fake phone voices sound.”—Reading in the Margins