Cocodilopolis follows individual members of the Oreamundo family over the course of 4 generations, focusing on two brothers who become pitted against each other because of their own political ambitions. The book does an excellent job placing the reader in Costa Rica of the 1980's and 90's, following a rapidly shifting culture and political arena. The book walks the line of the fantastical while still locating characters in a believable and recognizable world. Taking place over more than a century, the book ambitiously tries to document, in detail, much of the characters' lives. Arias does an excellent job of showing how individuals characters change over time, mirroring the political turmoil the book is following.

I would recommend this to fans of Barbara Kingsover, Sally Rooney, or Isabelle Allende.

A book that explores brotherhood across generations of a Costa Rican family and what it means for ‘evil’ to be in your blood

I listened to this audiobook in just two days (also had the ALC) and it had my attention the entire time. I wanted to know what was going to happen to the Oreamundo brothers at every turn. A family saga that explores what happens when one is exiled and two brothers take different paths

*Crocodilopolis* is a dark, slow-burning family saga shaped by corruption, privilege, political ambition, and generations of family secrets. Following members of the Oreamundo family across four generations and more than a century, the novel centers particularly on two brothers whose political ambitions ultimately pit them against each other.

One of my favorite things about this book was its intense emotional landscape and moody, heavy atmosphere. It leans into myth and melodrama in a way that I absolutely adored, while still grounding its characters in a believable and recognizable world. Arias does an excellent job capturing Costa Rica in the 1980s and ’90s, particularly a rapidly shifting cultural and political landscape, and the fantastical elements never feel disconnected from that reality.

The scope is ambitious, following so much of these characters’ lives and showing how they change over time. Their personal transformations mirror the political turmoil around them, making the family drama feel inseparable from the larger history unfolding in the background.

This is not a read for the faint of heart. It’s heavy, heartbreaking, and at times almost overwhelming, but I loved every second of it. I was completely absorbed and genuinely did not want it to end.

This is a dark, slow burn novel that is shaped by corruption, privilege and family secrets. Crocodilopolis has an intense emotional landscape and a moody, heavy atmosphere, leaning into myth and melodrama in a way that I absolutely adored. This isn't a read for the faint of heart, it is heavy and heartbreaking but I loved every second of it and did not want it to end.

General Thoughts:
If you enjoy complex stories with engrossing and multi layered characters told over various timelines, then this is the story for you. Lush imagery and deep metaphors take the story to a heightened level. Characters that make you feel complex emotions are at the forefront of this timeless novel.

We immediately are introduced to one of the most complex family systems and cold-blooded characters I've ever read. Born into an idyllic childhood that should've resulted in greatness and power, the Oreamumdo Brothers spiral into a losing battle of sibling rivalry and deep, dark family secrets.

We are thrown between alternating timelines of childhood backstory and current political scheming and revenge. The story reads like the most delicious telenovella. Arias weaves a tale that explores masculinity, pride, sibling rivalry, power, and ultimately deceit and revenge.

In this family, dark secrets are at the center of every decision and power is the ultimate goal. I could not look away.

Things to Love:
* multi layered timeline and imagery
* engrossing and complex characters
* deep metaphors and emotions

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 13 hours
🎤: Christian Barillas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: single narrator/multi timeline

Was the narration good??
Barillas did an excellent job with narration. I would listen to this narrator again.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted audiobook from the Libro.FM audiobook program. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.