Hood Criatura

by féi hernandez

In this stunning debut collection, Inglewood-raised poet féi hernandez weaves an intricate latticework of stories in the betwixt and between. Hood Criatura explores the intersections of trans and queer resilience, citizenship and belonging, and resistance against gentrification that threatens both city and the body. hernandez's poems take us through a coming-of-age story that delineates the existential wars of gender, race, sexuality, and im/migration, as well as the pains and joys that bind communities, family, and love. In a world that seeks to simplify and reduce the self to binary boundaries, Hood Criatura serves as a reminder of what it means to exist unbounded, to claim all of the multitudes within us that make us who we are. Masterfully juxtaposed in myriad poetic forms throughout the book, these poems are a love letter to all of us who exist within liminal spaces and who dare to claim one's true self.

Genres: Poetry, Queer, Nonfiction, LGBT, Latinx

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

féi hernandez (b.1993 Chihuahua, Mexico) is a trans, Inglewood- raised, immigrant artist, writer, healer. They have been published in POETRY, Pank Magazine, Oxford Review of Books, Frontier Poetry, The Breakbeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNext, amongst others. They are a Define American Fellow for 2021 and are currently the Board President of Gender Justice Los Angeles. féi is the author of the full-length poetry collection Hood Criatura (Sundress Publications 2020) which was on NPR’s Best Books of 2020. féi collects Pokémon plushies

Reviews

[Roxane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood Criatura is an electrifying collection of poetry. Every poem, every choice is intentional. Hernandez's voice is powerful, energetic, unforgettable. These poems explore what it means to live in a country that refuses to call you citizen, what it means to inhabit a gender not everyone will honor, what it means to be a child, to be an adult, to be a lover, to be loved. They rep their hood fiercely. And that's how I learned we live close to each other! Inglewood 4Lyf. That's neither here nor there but I love when people write about L.A. Intelligent, compelling poetry. Wish I could be more eloquent but read the book and you'll see what I mean.

[Janel Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood Criatura weaves the speaker’s inner and outer world to relay and document the complexities of their journey as a person, hijx, and spiritual healer navigating the violences of gender, gentrification, educational inequity, citizenship, racial injustice, and so forth. This collection is crafted with utmost tenderness and vulnerability, emotionally gripping and visceral from the opening poem through the last. These poems refuse to back down—at least not without letting you know what time it is. These are poems aware of how they wield their power, as in “Reason Men Build Walls” when féi writes: “Of course I’m a threat.” In Hood Criatura, féi threatens the very systemic violences one might expect to haunt these pages. féi hernandez undoubtedly emerges as a powerful, earth-shattering poet in this momentous debut.

One of the most beautiful and tender aspects of Hood Criatura’s resistance is its insistence on love and care for one another. Though various poems hold deep critique for systemic injustices, the politic of this book can also be boiled down to the simple beauty of these lines: “I’m here to support the cackle of my friends, and our growth/ in safety.” Hood Criatura is prepared to fight for that safety, to revel in the joy of its loved ones’ cackle, and it draws upon every ancestral wisdom to do so. As féi writes in the title poem, “what a coincidence that all things ugly/ tossed into folklore out of fear / scratch their way out of myth.” Myth emerges, like “the ancient woman dug beneath the rubble” to teach us, to hold our sorrows with us, and to transform them into otherworldly possibilities.

This book exists to offer a home to young Black and Brown kids in cities, to undocumented people navigating the violence of this country, to anyone struggling to come out as Queer or Trans, to the bold poppin-lipstick-wearing revolutionaries who lead the way for our liberation.

[Jocelyne Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is a piece of magic. It is an honor to hold and take in the words that Féi has created for us to read. Féi created a home for their work/ entity/ soul in Inglewood and it shows in this masterpiece whether it be through “dontcomeformyhood” or “first real nation of nations.”

Read this. Savor this. Proud of you Hood Criatura 🤍👼🏽

[Issac Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing for lack of better words- a true masterpieza

[Delphie Backs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood Criatura is one of the most captivating and unique books I’ve read in years; as I read, each poem was beautiful individually but breathtaking as a collection. Fei tells their story of growing up as an immigrant, trans, non-bianary person in Englewood, LA. Their coming of age story is a safe homeground for other kids trying to find their place of belonging. It is a story of bravery, pride, and love, with the ultimate goal of inspiring all readers that they are capable of starting their own revolution.

[Gadiel Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Féi writes with such courage, every line is a tender poem in itself. This poetry book IS L.A.! This poetry book is the definition of “La Cultura Que Cura”. I felt seen, I felt held with every memory, flashback, emotion Féi managed to scribble out and I was back to being 8 years old going to school in East Hollywood. All the complex issues this poet tackles are seen through a unique lens transcending all borders, restrictions, and expectations. When I die, I want to be buried with a copy of this poetry collection. A genuine triumph for visibility, LGBTQ representation, and essential literature. Defend poetry and Trans lives!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me why I love to read. Reading Féi’s stories reminded me of growing up in Inglewood and how much I love my city 💛

[Oombi Solis Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, and engaging read. To feel seen as a queer/non-binary immigrant is a gift. Thank you, Féi.

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood Criatura is a collection of poetry with heart and hope for all the "raritos...loud ass enigmas...and magical potentialities that were never meant to fit in." Fei's poetry is love in all it's forms: of self, of partnerships, of family, the universe, roots that span countries, and futures yet to be. This collection is a gift: words that give space to hold the ache of living in a world that tries to fragment people and selves; words that give space to bask in the pleasures of joy when it does happen, and words that give a vision of a world healed. Buy it, read it, share it (especially with the youth - may they see a future in these words that they can look towards manifesting), book club it, Little Free Library it, and stay updated with Fei and their work!

[Madelynp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ended up on my to-read list after it was featured on the 2020 NPR Book Concierge, and this is one of the best books of poetry I've ever read. féi hernandez's voice is strong and I loved their gorgeous descriptions of Inglewood, love, their family...I just loved this book. My two favorite poems were "Brunch" and "'Please Sing Along'" - the rewrite of the pledge of allegiance at the end of 'Please Sing Along' gave me chills and I've since sent it to friends, colleagues, and my mom. I highly recommend this collection!

[Julissa Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt as if the author detangled their strands of DNA and began to stroke the strands making music between them. The music of their intersections.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retrato in Names, Love Me the Way I Need You To, Corazón, Dressing Myself Mami... stunners.

[Allison Renfrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing poetic masterpiece. Truly changes your conception of the world and is so informative and just absolutely beautiful. I leave this at my bedside table and pick a new poem to analyze and read every night. Everyone needs to have this piece.

[Sea D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one thing to live and breath pieces by artists. It's another to hold it. Read it. And live it. Mx. Hernández's pieces in HOOD CRIATURA was full of fantasy, vivid political imagery and juxtapositions, sealed with play on word structures and challenges of being a born again citizen. The way they write about the power of home, is one that I have found rare in a poetry book, and have read over and over again since. To finally feel connected to a piece of literature like this, that made me feel seen as a Non-Binary brown folk, is also rare in the space and I can't wait for further works to arrive from this author.

[Liz Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely appreciate the poems that are part of this collection. Without spoiling the contents, the coming of age pieces as an (im)migrant resonate with many of the stories of childhood arrivals. The unique way these are presented allow for personal readings that invite the reader to connect beyond the printed words as memory is illustrated by each word.

For instructors, consider including the text in your syllabus. More than ever personal narratives can help bring a human face to issues our government continues to neglect.

[Matt McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My people are my destination, to and from...There is no way to quantify how pregnant I can be housin gall the people I will always love..."

[Jonathan Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a and re-read this collection so many times. The way Fei's energy and indentity is so clearly imbued in this book makes it such a beautiful piece of work. I've used this book in workshops that I lead as a powerful showing of language and voice because Fei's work is so uniquely Fei. It's the kind of book you can never replace and the kind that leaves you looking for something like it that you probably won't ever find so you just keep re-reading it forever. Amazing.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Pura magia! The Frida Kahlo poem broke me, put me back together, and delivered me to my next destination.

[Jessica Bacio-Cuevas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of poetry was absolutely beautiful! Each and ever poem was filled with deep emotion; and I really enjoyed that. There is something so special about a writer that can make you feel what doesn’t apply to you and I think that’s why I love poetry but more importantly why I enjoyed this book so much.