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All I can say even a couple of days after finishing this book is wow, this one is lingering. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz and I can't wait to see it. The story of Pablo Escobar told from the viewpoint of his former girlfriend, television journalist Virginia Vallejo. She met Pablo while dating someone else and invited as guests for a few weekends to Escobar's ranch. At one point he ended up saving her from nearly drowning when no one else even noticed All I can say even a couple of days after finishing this book is wow, this one is lingering. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz and I can't wait to see it. The story of Pablo Escobar told from the viewpoint of his former girlfriend, television journalist Virginia Vallejo. She met Pablo while dating someone else and invited as guests for a few weekends to Escobar's ranch. At one point he ended up saving her from nearly drowning when no one else even noticed she was caught in a sudden whirlpool in the water. She told him that from that point on he was responsible for her life. Not long after, she broke up with her drug-addicted boyfriend and began spending time with Pablo. They each found that they had much to teach the other. She taught him how to be more media savvy with the press, and he taught her about the other side of life that she was mostly unaware of. Before long they each fell in love and spoiled one another and things were good for some time.

But it seemed before many months had passed with Pablo sending his plane for her frequently to spend time with him, she also started seeing another side of Escobar. Along with the good Pablo who helped many poor Columbians with food and housing from the profits of his empire, she learned that there was also a dark side. One who craved fame and political appeal and infamy. Also, one who liked violence and revenge on his enemies. She also found that he enjoyed flings with young women of little intellect, buying their favors for a weekend during times they were apart despite having her love and loyalty to him too. This caused her much anguish not so much from jealousy, but because it showed he was greedy and would never be satisfied and this foretold a very dangerous future. An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley, author Virginia Vallejo, and the publisher for my unbiased review.

Vintage
Published: May 29, 2018

My Bookzone blog at Wordpress: https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...

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Daissy Blanco This lady has a big ego, she mentions the same Valentino, Gucci, LV dresses over an over which makes me think she has no idea about writing and did not have any good style reviewers, however, I don't think she has a reason to lie, interesting to know that the politicians mentioned in the book still a major headache in the county and not much has been done about it and it won't change in the near future. Bad effort, but managed to finish the whole thing, this is not an Escobar Biogr Daissy Blanco This lady has a big ego, she mentions the same Valentino, Gucci, LV dresses over an over which makes me think she has no idea about writing and did not have any good style reviewers, however, I don't think she has a reason to lie, interesting to know that the politicians mentioned in the book still a major headache in the county and not much has been done about it and it won't change in the near future. Bad effort, but managed to finish the whole thing, this is not an Escobar Biography as intended, but a story about a very vain media character that happens to socialize with the scum of society and survives to tell. ...more

The topic is interesting but I expected more. I was annoyed how Virginia wrote about herself as a perfect person who guessed correctly everything that was going to happen but no one listened. Also yes, she was extremely beautiful but I don't need this book to tell me every 10 pages or so that she was a sex symbol, what was her weight and how tiny her waist was. The topic is interesting but I expected more. I was annoyed how Virginia wrote about herself as a perfect person who guessed correctly everything that was going to happen but no one listened. Also yes, she was extremely beautiful but I don't need this book to tell me every 10 pages or so that she was a sex symbol, what was her weight and how tiny her waist was. ...more

A socialite with a succesful career in modeling and newscasting reaches a turning point in her life and finds herself as Escobar's mistress but just as easy as she rose she fell in a nasty fall that shattered her life for something as worthless as love for money and status.

She lets us into her world even giving us the inventory of her millionaire ex boyfriends; she wasn't afraid of portraying herself for what she was: conceited, vain, bigheaded, among many other adjectives I could use, walks us through how her world is turned upside down for the worst when she meets Escobar and how she payed for her mistake.

The story is quite captivating and gives us a quick glimpse of the darkest moments Colombians had to suffer; the best we could do is teach generations to come to never forget so this never happens again.

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Aug 07, 2018 Suus rated it did not like it

This woman is a delusionnal narcissist. Complete passages have been devoted to the adoration of herself. Either she lets other people speak highly of her, mainly about her beauty, her expensive clothing and how many rich men she has slept with, or she tells you this herself. It is a constant name dropping of nouveau riche or royalty, people who have absolutely nothing to do with Pablo Escobar. A constant bragging about trips here and there, shopping sprees in New York or Miami while she also wri This woman is a delusionnal narcissist. Complete passages have been devoted to the adoration of herself. Either she lets other people speak highly of her, mainly about her beauty, her expensive clothing and how many rich men she has slept with, or she tells you this herself. It is a constant name dropping of nouveau riche or royalty, people who have absolutely nothing to do with Pablo Escobar. A constant bragging about trips here and there, shopping sprees in New York or Miami while she also writes about the extreme poverty in Colombia, in such a way that she come across as a vile and shallow person. If you are interested in Escobar or Columbia, I'm sure there are other books. ...more

This books was only written so that Virginia Vallejo can boost her own ego...she praises herself and her beauty and I question her reliability. The book bored me. It's more about her than pablo. This books was only written so that Virginia Vallejo can boost her own ego...she praises herself and her beauty and I question her reliability. The book bored me. It's more about her than pablo. ...more

Every love story is a tragedy if you wait long enough...

It was a fantastic journey and I am sad that it came to an end. I've dived into the world of Colombian culture, into the detailed critical analysis of the historical period (names and events, familiar and not really), into a scary, but exciting love story of two people, whose relationship was so damn organic while at the same time you ask yourself: how, omg HOW, could this even happen?!!

Now, there was also aesthetic education: music, litera

Every love story is a tragedy if you wait long enough...

Now, there was also aesthetic education: music, literature, dance, television, movie, advertising, fashion throwbacks (a lot of fashion and style throwbacks actually, but imho they weren't too much, and the woman wrote it so we must give it a credit).

There were nature, flora and fauna, scenery descriptions, useful travel tips.

There were o_O technical and mathematics issues. Translation stuff. One can learn a few dozens of spanish words no doubt!

There were money, guns, diamonds, drugs-drugs-drugs, friendship, devotion, betrayal, jealousy. The bitter end serves as moral...

And passion: the entire book from the very start to the very end is soaked with passion you've never seen or heard before - enough for a good fiction or novel. But it is not. It is a biography. Who would believe they can be like that?

The story told by an educated polyglot journalist, a woman of an extraordinary beauty, who fell for a criminal with some good intentions. She is not perfect, though believes she is. What an ego! What a self-esteem!

And what a story! A masterpiece! Bravo!

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Apr 08, 2018 Parvu Andreea rated it really liked it

First part of the book makes you love Pablo. For his kindness to help others to overpass poverty and integrate them in the society. Too bad his desire to control everything and have absolute power transformed him in a terrifying murderer, without carrying of anything and anybody, except himself.

So not what I expected! Not a fan. The book seems to have many ulterior motives for it's author. I really don't know what she was trying to prove or say other than she was in love with a heartless, drug dealing, murderous criminal. She attempted to justify his existence by claiming he had a heart of gold, but was misrepresented by the bourgeoisie of Columbia, which, turned all of Columbia against their version of "Robin Hood". Even if he saved her life, he took over a 100,000 others (not sure of So not what I expected! Not a fan. The book seems to have many ulterior motives for it's author. I really don't know what she was trying to prove or say other than she was in love with a heartless, drug dealing, murderous criminal. She attempted to justify his existence by claiming he had a heart of gold, but was misrepresented by the bourgeoisie of Columbia, which, turned all of Columbia against their version of "Robin Hood". Even if he saved her life, he took over a 100,000 others (not sure of the exact amount - either directly - shooting, bombing, strangling, stabbing, etc. or indirectly - ordering deaths, bounties on them, or selling drugs to users that OD'd.) She claims to have no knowledge of this until she started to fall out of love with him, but tells outrageous stories that would lead sane people to know otherwise. She set back any women's movement years! She may very well have been on his intellectual level. However how smart was he? She believes that he knew what was going to happen before it occurred, but could not control himself enough to stop. They discussed political inequalities that most people knew and understood, especially in Columbia. However, she knew little of anything about his cocaine trafficking and murderous ways. Just tell us he had you bought off or scared because it is hard to believe a redeeming quality existed for a man like this, especially a heart of gold! Hard for me to buy any of it. Many times love can make you overlook issues of others, but what does this say about her to overlook these "issues"! There were times her writing was succinct and other times, where attempts at eloquence were far-fetched and did not hit their mark. As a reporter, she had many attributes that made her a favorite. One was obviously her looks, two, she seemed to be aware of some politics, and lastly she had an understanding of "the human element", which I believe was what made her so desirable to Pablo. He used her for his own good, as he used everyone. She made him appealing and provided him with the omnipotent belief that he could do as he pleased, murder, deal drugs, and basic criminal activity. She appeared to be an escort/debutante with a level of human understanding that made her dangerous. Was she used? Yes. Did she directly kill anyone? No. Was she responsible for the death of others? Yes. This book may clear her conscience but not her soul. Sorry, I just don't buy it. ...more

Virginia Vallejo (Colombia 1949) and Pablo Escobar (Colombia 1949-1993) were lovers for four years (1983-1987). He a drugslord of the Medellin cartel with a modest background. She a journalist and TV anchor(wo)man from the upper class.

Yesterday I finished reading her book 'Amando a Pablo, odiando a Escobar' (2007) in a Dutch translation 'Ik was de vrouw van Escobar' (2017). I wanted to read about the story behind their love. Her story. Her images. What she says and what not. Her details.

For me t

For me this quote is the key to the book (page 305-306). Ana Bolena Meza: "Virginia, you were the greatest star of this country [Colombia] and the narcos ended your career and your good name. I am just a humble actress who wants to make her living with hard work. Say to that Gaviria that I don't want, for any gold, to live your life, certainly not because I see how the media treats you. Say that woman as me despise man like them. That I prefer to die rather then being touched by the dirty hands of a narcos." Who is who? Pablo's nephew Gustavo Gaviria was fallen in love with actress Ana Bolena Meza. Gustavo asked Virginia to arrange a meeting with Ana. Ana refused to meet.

Why did Virginia fall in love with Pablo? Pablo built 2,500 houses for the poor of Medellin. Pablo saved her life. Both were student and teacher. Mutual attracted to their huge intelligence. Magic. Attraction and rejection. Pablo fell for Virginia's beauty. Virginia fell for Pablo's insight and predictive ability. They had an equal relationship. Virginia always refused the sugar daddy side of Pablo. She wanted his love not his money. Later she asked Pablo for money (for education and investment in a company) then he refused because Virginia was the only woman in his life that did love him for free. He wanted to maintain that dream.

They talked a lot about the "inheritance" of Pablo. He wanted the world, via the only woman who really knew him, to know who he really was. A psychological and historical accurate portret.

Nice read. No book for sensitive souls.

P.S. The Spanish title translated into English 'Love Pablo. Hate Escobar', covers the content of their relationship better.

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If you want a book to learn more about the Colombian drug war, this is not your book. It is not what this book is about and you can't expect an unbiased narrative from someone so deeply involved in it.

If you want a book to see a more intimate, personal and perhaps romantic side of Escobar, this is still not your book. I would say their romantic relationship is only less than 1/4 of the book.

What this book is really about is Virginia Vallejo, and not in a good way. You will read about how beautif

If you want a book to see a more intimate, personal and perhaps romantic side of Escobar, this is still not your book. I would say their romantic relationship is only less than 1/4 of the book.

What this book is really about is Virginia Vallejo, and not in a good way. You will read about how beautiful she is 534 times and how she is too good for Colombia 342 times. You will also read about every brand of every dress she has plus how much it costs and you will read about 67 rich handsome man that wish to marry her. Finally you will read in every chapter about how she never took money from Escobar (at least not a cent more than what she deserved).

This book probably doesn't deserve such a low score , since sometimes it was quite entertaining, but the way Virgínia is obsessed about herself makes you question every word she says. It's almost like you can never fully trust her because she sounds so delusional.

Sometimes I felt like I was reading this book only because I would not let her beat me and not really because I was enjoying it. I felt relieved when it was over.

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Chihuahua! Or maybe I should say Bogota! What a look into the world of the drug cartels and high ranking politicians of the world Pablo Escobar helped to create and define. What a journey through the heart and consciousness of Virginia Vallejo. For historical value alone this book deserves 5 stars. The knowledge and background of the author made the book and the experiences she chronicles possible. Judge away if that's your takeaway, otherwise read and watch how absolute power corrupts absolutel Chihuahua! Or maybe I should say Bogota! What a look into the world of the drug cartels and high ranking politicians of the world Pablo Escobar helped to create and define. What a journey through the heart and consciousness of Virginia Vallejo. For historical value alone this book deserves 5 stars. The knowledge and background of the author made the book and the experiences she chronicles possible. Judge away if that's your takeaway, otherwise read and watch how absolute power corrupts absolutely. ...more

RCN did an amazing job by covering a tell interview before Vallejo flew to the US. For me that was enough. I wanted to find more depth to the Escobar phenomena within Colombian modern history. I only read two chapters. I couldn't pass all the name dropping of of the Colombian elite and this overly vulgar obsession with expensive brands. RCN did an amazing job by covering a tell interview before Vallejo flew to the US. For me that was enough. I wanted to find more depth to the Escobar phenomena within Colombian modern history. I only read two chapters. I couldn't pass all the name dropping of of the Colombian elite and this overly vulgar obsession with expensive brands. ...more

Virgina Valejo is an opportunist and probably was way more involved in the Cartels than she let on...

She is a very self center lady. Reading pages about her shopping experiences in Paris! Crazy lady ...

Too much latino, poetic descriptions. Also, both of them were psychos. Thank you.

It was an interesting story. However, the way it was written was not for me. I also wasn't a fan of the branddropping. I couldn't care less about all her valentino and chanel dresses to be honest. It was an interesting story. However, the way it was written was not for me. I also wasn't a fan of the branddropping. I couldn't care less about all her valentino and chanel dresses to be honest. ...more

Jul 26, 2012 Lindsey rated it really liked it

They should make this book required reading in Latin American studies programs. Virginia Vallejo is better known for being a socialite, model, newscaster/journalist, and actress; but I am disappointed that she didn't write any more books. Vallejos conceit becomes a bit much at times with the inventories of the millionaire boyfriends who couldn't capture her heart the way that Pablo Escobar did. She portrays herself as some kind of millionaire saint from the highest echelons of Colombian society, They should make this book required reading in Latin American studies programs. Virginia Vallejo is better known for being a socialite, model, newscaster/journalist, and actress; but I am disappointed that she didn't write any more books. Vallejos conceit becomes a bit much at times with the inventories of the millionaire boyfriends who couldn't capture her heart the way that Pablo Escobar did. She portrays herself as some kind of millionaire saint from the highest echelons of Colombian society, who just happened to find herself involved in an adulterous relationship with Pablo Escobar. In spite of this, the story is fascinating. ...more

Although I feel really sorry for the DEA agents who had to babysit her at a hotel in Miami she thought was crummy, this is a fascinating front-row seat to the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the cartel. I read this to augment the social science research for the Dirty Money class about drugs and money laundering, and the kingpin theory, in which removing an organization head you know can bring a period of opportunity while they fight and reorganize, but also bring forth more skilled, more unhi Although I feel really sorry for the DEA agents who had to babysit her at a hotel in Miami she thought was crummy, this is a fascinating front-row seat to the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the cartel. I read this to augment the social science research for the Dirty Money class about drugs and money laundering, and the kingpin theory, in which removing an organization head you know can bring a period of opportunity while they fight and reorganize, but also bring forth more skilled, more unhinged leaders willing to take more risks. This is that, but with fur coats, mass murder and parties with piles of cocaine, rather than graphs. ...more

While I do not feel very comfortable when criminals are made into heroes, so much that there grows a loyal fan-following for them, and everything they did or wore or carried becomes the coolest thing in town; this book still made me smile. It is the voice of a lady in love, and her dilemmas, her pain, her anguish, her agony all felt a bit relatable to me. This is another side of Escobar story. Just before this, I read the book written by Pablo's son, and now this. I enjoyed reading the book. I s While I do not feel very comfortable when criminals are made into heroes, so much that there grows a loyal fan-following for them, and everything they did or wore or carried becomes the coolest thing in town; this book still made me smile. It is the voice of a lady in love, and her dilemmas, her pain, her anguish, her agony all felt a bit relatable to me. This is another side of Escobar story. Just before this, I read the book written by Pablo's son, and now this. I enjoyed reading the book. I still feel the book is a little long, I would have enjoyed it a little better if it was a few pages shorter, but the story is being told, and you gotta follow through. ...more

Feb 08, 2009 Roni rated it it was ok

"Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar" would be the English translation. I picked it up just to practice my Spanish, interesting insight into the drug lord world. Left me a bit angry. I think the author tries to make the reader sympathetic and bring humanity to the characters but she fails, these are all terrible people in a terrible world. "Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar" would be the English translation. I picked it up just to practice my Spanish, interesting insight into the drug lord world. Left me a bit angry. I think the author tries to make the reader sympathetic and bring humanity to the characters but she fails, these are all terrible people in a terrible world. ...more

This is Virginia Vallejo's version of her relationship with Pablo Escobar, and of Colombia's history during the late 80's and early 90's. As Escobar's lover she seems to have had a front row seat to some of the biggest events in Colombia's recent history.

Read more at
http://www.bilinguallibrarian.com/200...

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Loving Pablo, based on the book by Virginia Vallejo

This motion picture has not received the acclaim it deserves, if you are to believe the under signed, who thinks it is a great, if terrifying story with excellent performances, except perhaps for some scenes wherein Penelope Cruz ventures a little over the top and exaggerates some of the suffering of the protagonist.

The phenomenal actress has the leading role of Virginia Vallejo, a talented, popular journalist and a brave, determined, perseveran

Loving Pablo, based on the book by Virginia Vallejo

The phenomenal actress has the leading role of Virginia Vallejo, a talented, popular journalist and a brave, determined, perseverant, open minded, gritty, strong, resilient woman.
Her real life husband, the outstanding Javier Bardem –winner of a deserved Academy Award for his memorable role in No Country For Old Men – has the task of rendering on the big screen the figure of another monster – Pablo Escobar.

The hero was born in a poor family, in an impoverished region, but he makes an estimated two billion in just a few years, raising questions and making the minister of justice challenge this suspicious rise to extreme wealth in the Columbian Parliament, at the time when the protagonist becomes a senator.
Virginia Vallejo is famous as an anchorwoman and journalist when, in 1981, she attends a large party that takes place at the luxuriant ranch of the rich Pablo Escobar, where she can see him discussing with other wealthy individuals – almost all of them drug lords, leaders of various cartels.

The hero of the feature would be the absolute leader – he likes to boast in front of his daughter about his position as a king, who can do whatever he wants – at a certain moment, he is in jail, but he wants to demonstrate to his child that her mother is wrong and he can go wherever he wants –of the Medellin cartel.
The United Sates is very concerned about the rising drug use, most of the cocaine – was it 80%?- coming from Columbia, an important problem addressed by the then president, Ronald Reagan, and the first lady, Nancy Reagan and the task force set up to fight the traffic.

A prominent role in combating the Columbian drug lords is played by Agent Shepard – portrayed by the talented Peter Sarsgaard – who will have a close relationship with the authorities from that country, which appeared to be kidnapped by this Force of Evil, who would obtain an immense power at the zenith of his criminal, violent activity.

The government of Columbia tries to sign an extradition agreement with the United States, seemingly the only way to bring the cartel leaders to justice, for whenever they are facing opposition they kill all those involved, their family, friends and innocent by standers, and if they are in court, they either bribe or kill the judges who are supposed to pass sentence over them.
Pablo Escobar concludes that he needs political power, he knows how much a position in local government would cost and the price for a seat in the Senate bribes some politicians and reaches Parliament after his campaign, being stopped on the steps in what is one of the few amusing moments in rather gruesome drama.

The newly elected senator is not stopped on the footsteps of the Senate for his abhorrent crimes, he is asked to…wear a tie, since this is what the rule is and immediately, tens of men offer to give him their own ties to give him access in a body where he would be challenged for his inexplicable wealth and the reputation he has as a drug king and a killer.
The ruthless, despicable, monstrous, nefarious hero would not forget a small insult and he never rests after the minister has spoken like that about his "majesty, the king of cocaine" and he would have the sicarios kill this politician and so many others, it looks like the whole country would be empty, as Virginia would remark.

To a great extent, it is hard to see how the heroine and the legitimate wife of the vicious creature would not take action, condemn, try to make this monster stop, even if anyone knew how futile any attempt to reason with the Devil might be.
In fact, the journalist is increasingly mad, indignant with her lover, but she is also in awe, infatuated with the killer, making one think of the famous quote: "power is the ultimate aphrodisiac" and she has moments when she appears to approve, condone the murderous drug lord.

For instance, after the country would have had enough of multiple, a multitude of killings, bombings and mindless, horrible, disgusting sacrifice of the children, parents and other relatives of those who have attracted the Wrath of this Nefarious Khan.
We have seen torture and "inventive" means of inflicting pains on fellow human beings in other dramas, in Loving Pablo, when they disagree over the price to pay for a kilogram of cocaine, the lunatic mobster brings his secarios to cut the partners in crime with the chainsaw.

A new means of tormenting, abusing with incredible sadism both animal and human being is depicted in this motion picture, where the devilish members of the Medellin cartel – but the others from Cali and elsewhere were surely no better – tie a dog to the back of a man and then use a club to hit the poor creature, which then bites the neck of the victim, repeatedly, in a hard to see scene.
Loving Pablo is not on the same level with Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco or other classics, but it offers a poignant drama, based on the memories written by the woman who Loved Pablo, but hated Escobar…

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It's enjoyable, like binging on Netflix's Narcos!

THE STORY OF THE COLOMBIAN CRIMINAL PABLO ESCOBAR, NARRATED BY HIS LOVER FOR FIVE YEARS, WHO WAS A FAMOUS COLOMBIAN JOURNALIST.

At the beginning of the book, I found it ridiculous. The author does little to hide her own selfishness, shallowness and love of money. Money are an important topic of the book. Money, power, respect. But then towards the middle it gets a little more complicated and we have a good sneak peek at the HUMAN Pablo Escobar and what his motives and drives were. Towards the end

THE STORY OF THE COLOMBIAN CRIMINAL PABLO ESCOBAR, NARRATED BY HIS LOVER FOR FIVE YEARS, WHO WAS A FAMOUS COLOMBIAN JOURNALIST.

There were some lines in the book, which stuck in my mind. Here they are, with some comments from my side:

"true intelligence comes not only from a capacity for deep analysis and rigorous classification, or from exceptional mental quickness like Pablo Escobar's, but above all, from strategy"I totally agree with that. It is much more important to be a good strategist, than to be a fast thinker. Of course, if it is for the right cause. Strategy is mentioned in many places throughout the book. It seems it was one of the biggest tools of Pablo for building his business empire, and at the end of the day – his timeless persona, attracting so much attention. Can you imagine how many good things this kind of mind could have done, if used in this direction?

"If you plan carefully, any, absolutely any mischief can be accomplished" This is just another statement by Pablo about strategy and its significance. This stuck in mind a lot. But I would transform it to: If you plan carefully, any, absolutely any dream can be accomplished!"

"The only thing necessary for a man to be a perfect lover is physical attraction" This statement is Virginia's, who never tried to hide her vast experience with men, so I have to agree with her here. 100% 🙂

"What a difference a day makes, twenty-four little hours . . ." Sometimes I have exactly the same thought. But I need to repeat it to myself all the time, so that I know that at nothing ever lasts forever, good or bad, and just a day can make a huge difference.

What seem to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. This is the saying, by Oscar Wilde, with which Virginia closes the book. So it seems she is content by what she has been through, notwithstanding the suffering. And her advice to everybody, basically with the whole book, is that we all go through "bitter trials" but these are things that make up who we are and make our life significant. And there are so many untold stories…

More of my reviews here: http://thebookwise.com/pablo-escobar-...

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The title of this book should be changed to:

Santa Virginia Vallejo, God's Gift to Mankind, First of Her Name, Khaleesi of Columbia, Mother of Dragons

OK, OK, I had no illusions about this book. I hated her character in Narcos, and had seen the negative reviews. I was just curious to see how bad it would be. In that sense, it didn't disappoint: it was really bad.

Her delusions of grandeur, her narcissism and self-obsession, paired with her false modesty and imagined victimization were out of this w

The title of this book should be changed to:

Santa Virginia Vallejo, God's Gift to Mankind, First of Her Name, Khaleesi of Columbia, Mother of Dragons

Her delusions of grandeur, her narcissism and self-obsession, paired with her false modesty and imagined victimization were out of this world!

This is not a smart insider analysis of Pablo Escobar's rise, rule and fall. It's an Ode to Virginia Vallejo, unrepentant apologist, who not once in 400 pages said "I am sorry I helped and supported a drug trafficker turned murderer and terrorist".

The evolution and nature of her affair with Escobar would have been interesting, but she's such an unreliable narrator for me, that I can't really trust a word of it.

It was also confusing, with dozens of names thrown in each chapter, and with no clear sense of time. Even though I've recently seen Narcos and read more about the real events, I struggled to tell where we were in the timeline (although this may have been me spacing out quite often due to boredom).

The only positive I can say is about the narrator, Almarie Guerra. The holier-than-thou tone she used matched my perception of Virginia Vallejo perfectly, and made me despise her even more.

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Sep 28, 2020 Manuel Valadas rated it really liked it

If you are interested about the story of narco-traffic, especially regarding Colombia and the all famous Pablo Escobar this book is a must. If you saw the TV series Narcos you HAVE to read Virginia's side of the story to have a better and unbiased picture of what really happened.
The author is a journalist so she presents a story that although is too personal it is well researched and presents many insights that are difficult to find elsewhere (for instance the sadly famous Palace of Justice sie If you are interested about the story of narco-traffic, especially regarding Colombia and the all famous Pablo Escobar this book is a must. If you saw the TV series Narcos you HAVE to read Virginia's side of the story to have a better and unbiased picture of what really happened.
The author is a journalist so she presents a story that although is too personal it is well researched and presents many insights that are difficult to find elsewhere (for instance the sadly famous Palace of Justice siege in 1985, where she blames the army and not the M-19 for most of the killings). The negative part is that you'll have to through all her bragging about how pretty, popular and sexy she was and all her expensive things she had.
After reading her version I realised that Narcos is a marketing and PR version of USA's DEA (it is based on a book written by a DEA officer that was stationed in Colombia at the time of Escobar). They hide some episodes that would make the DEA look inefficient or corrupt and emphasise others that make them look like heroes. Virgina sued the authors of Narcos for having included and altered some episodes of her book.

To complete the trilogy you should also read the book by Pablo's son "My Father" by Juan Pablo Escobar. It will give yet another version of the story.

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Not gonna lie, reviewing a memoir feels a liiittle bit strange. Critiquing a person's life, thoughts, feelings, vision is way harder than critiquing a fictional character. And yet... People do it every day. So why do I find it so strange now? I'll take a wild guess and say it's because of the people involved, but don't take my word on it. Still doesn't feel right.

However, this book has met all of my expectations. It is an ocean of information regarding Pablo Escobar and his world, so if you're i

However, this book has met all of my expectations. It is an ocean of information regarding Pablo Escobar and his world, so if you're interested in that, definitely pick this up.

And if you're not, don't worry! This novel may grab your attention anyway. It reads like a big adventure. An epic love story. An action movie. Virginia Vallejo's writing is one of a kind. It conjures emotion so vividly and uses metaphors and charming descriptions, while also being straight to the point, sending a clear message. This is talent.

The structure of the novel is just as appropriate. I loved that the chapters had beautiful, representative titles and the time line the author used to present the events. My biggest problem was the pacing, which is not so fast. There were times when I found myself wanting to skip some parts and there were times when I had the impression that some of the details were not so relevant to the bigger picture. Although that might just be me, as what fascinated me the most was Virginia and her relationship with Escobar.

Which leads me to believe that this memoir is proof of the strength, bravery, compassion, love and care that women bear in their hearts. Hence, even though Loving Pablo, Hating Escobar is supposed to be the biography of a drug lord, for me it ended up being about the greatness and the resilience of his lover.

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Feb 06, 2019 Kayla G. rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this book. I learned about Escobar in a Drug Wars of the America's class in college, but nothing majorly in depth. I noticed some people had trouble stomaching the thought of this book and subsequent movie because they did not want to support something that glamorized a person who caused so much pain to the people of Colombia, so I was hesitant to read for the same reason, but I'm glad I read it. Is Virginia completely innocent? No. She grew to know and hate the bad side of Esco I really enjoyed this book. I learned about Escobar in a Drug Wars of the America's class in college, but nothing majorly in depth. I noticed some people had trouble stomaching the thought of this book and subsequent movie because they did not want to support something that glamorized a person who caused so much pain to the people of Colombia, so I was hesitant to read for the same reason, but I'm glad I read it. Is Virginia completely innocent? No. She grew to know and hate the bad side of Escobar, but their relationship was not as black and white as some people like to make it. It's very unsettling the way the book stays with you. You do begin to feel empathy and heartache for Virginia and for the man Pablo might have been. That's all I'll say. She wrote a very compelling account of her time with Pablo and I would recommend the book to anyone who wants to know more about Escobar's story than we get from what we see on TV or read in history books. ...more

Long

While Virginia Vallejo did lead an interesting life she definitely did not forget to write about anything in this book, whether it needed to be in it or not. But there was a lot of interesting parts too so I couldn't bring myself to give it less than 3 stars but I couldn't bring myself to give it more either.

Long

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