My Translation of the French Chapter in The Rules of Attraction

When I first read the French chapter in Bret Easton Ellis’s The Rules of Attraction, as far as I could tell, a translation didn’t exist anywhere on the internet. I thought I would do a good deed and write one myself. Well, since then I’ve found another translation, but here’s my own anyway. I’m sure it isn’t perfect, but if you don’t speak French, you won’t be able to tell anyway haha:

BERTRAND     I couldn’t stop myself from coming up to you at the party. I drank too much tequila and maybe I smoked too much pot, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. But after you told me that, I walked to the End of the World and I threw up. Yesterday I broke up with Beba, my girlfriend. You, you were one of the reasons for that (but Beba doesn’t know that I want you) but not the only one. For a long time I’ve felt seduced by you. I’m not crazy, but you interest me and I took some photos of you when you weren’t watching. I’m not able to believe that you don’t notice me. If you would’ve come with me last night, I would’ve made you happy. And I would’ve made you happier than that guy you left with last night. Worse comes to worse, I could always go back to Paris and live with my father. Anyway, America’s boring. You and I would make love in my father’s villa in Cannes. And I’d leave my job as a writer at the Camden Courier. Maybe you saw my articles? “How to Avoid Herpes” and “The Positive Effects of Ecstasy.”  I’m not obsessed with you. I could have any girl I want here (and I practically have), but your legs are perfect, better than all the other girls and your hair is so blond and soft, better again than everyone’s and your figure is perfect too. I don’t know if you’ve had a nose job, but your nose is perfect. Your features are perfect. Maybe I’m going to try again. But not leave next week. Remember that I could make you happy. I’m a good fuck and I have an American Express Platinum Card. I suppose you have it too. Your legs are splendid and better than those of any other girl. What color are your eyes? The pictures I took are all in black and white. I would like to take the same classes as you, but I take pictures and you…what? Fine arts? You are sexy. If I knew someone was as into you as me, and if you, you felt the same way about him, I’d leave. I would return home. Without a doubt.
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Published on May 24, 2014 17:00 Tags: bret-easton-ellis, jesse-baker, literature, the-rules-of-attraction
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message 1: by Jesse (new)

Jesse Relkin You're very welcome! Glad it was useful to you.


message 2: by Eliana (new)

Eliana Maglio I took 4 years of French and was having problems reading it...thanks soooo much!


message 3: by Norman (new)

Norman Woods Read this book twice, and as someone who speaks minimal French, I've always skipped this section. Thanks for adding depth to my third pass.


message 4: by Ruby (new)

Ruby Noise Many thanks for the translation, couldn't sit by and not know what Bertrand had to say.


message 5: by Tiana (new)

Tiana Quattrucci so very helpful. thank you


message 6: by Chad (new)

Chad Leavell Thanks a lot! Ran into it and didn't want to continue without knowing.


message 7: by Andrea (new)

Andrea Tajthy Wow! Thank you so much! Now, I have finished the book :)


message 8: by Kat (new)

Kat Ordiway So glad to find this! I couldn't stand not knowing what that section said!


message 9: by Nicolas (new)

Nicolas Slunsky Thank you so much! I love how random Ellis' writing is sometimes... Starting a novel mid-sentence, throwing in a random French chapter and all kinds of other weird stuff. Gotta love him.


message 10: by Mark (new)

Mark Blaine You have done a great translation. In case you are interested, here's mine (had it on tumblr a few years back but then shut down the account). Mine is at points slightly more literal (while still making sense of the slangy French in parts of the passage) but quite similar. At some points I actually I like yours a bit better :)

"Bertrand: I couldn’t help but approach you at the party. I drank too much tequila and perhaps I smoked too much pot, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. However, after I told you this, I walked to the End of the World and I vomited. Yesterday, I broke up with my girlfriend Beba. You, you were one of the reasons why (Beba doesn’t know that I want you), but not the only one. It’s that I’ve felt seduced by you for a long time. I’m not crazy, but you interest me and I took some pictures of you, which I did when you were not looking. I can’t believe you didn’t notice me. If you had come with me last night, I would have made you happy. I could make you happy. I could make you happier than the guy you left with last night. At worst, I could always go back at Paris and live with my father. Anyway, America is boring. You and I would make love in my father’s house in Cannes. And I’d quit my job as editor for the Camden Courier. Maybe you saw my articles? “How to Prevent Herpes” and “The positive effects of ecstasy.” I’m not obsessed with you. I could have any girl I want here (and I almost have) but your legs are perfect, better than any of the other girls, and your hair is so blond and sweet, again better than all the other girls, and your face is perfect too. I don’t know if you had a nosejob, but your nose is perfect. Your features are really perfect. I’ll try again. But don’t leave next time. Remember that I could make you very happy. I know how to fuck well and I have an American Express Platinum Card. I suppose you have one too. Your legs are gorgeous, better than any other girl. What color are your eyes? The photos I took are all in black and white. I would take the same courses as you, but I’m doing photography and you… what? The fine arts? You are sexy. If I knew that someone was in love with you like I am, and you, you felt the same towards him, I would leave. I would return home. No doubt."


message 11: by Kynan (new)

Kynan F Thanks a lot for this :)


message 12: by Amy (new)

Amy DeMatt Thanks, I needed this--reading now!


message 13: by Brandon (new)

Brandon Cochran Thank you very much!!!


message 14: by rey reads (new)

rey reads Ah thank you so! I just got to that page!


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