The Proust Questionnaire

by Assouline (Creator), William C. Carter (Foreword), Henry-Jean Servat (Introduction)

Marcel Proust's questionnaire is one of the best-known interview devices used in the media nowadays. Fun, intelligent, and concise, it reveals much of the personality of those questioned. Assouline Publishing presents a handsome and entertaining facsimile edition of the original questionnaire, with Marcel Proust's handwritten replies. An introduction by Henry-Jean Servat, a long-standing member of the Friends of Marcel Proust Society, provides a historical account of the questionnaire, and a foreword by William C. Carter imparts the significance of Proust today. In addtion, the book features questionnaires filled out by a variety of cultural figures such as Brigitte Bardot, Marisa Berenson, and Richard Meier. A set of blank questionnaires are included at the end of the book, making The Proust Questionnaire an ideal gift—with many returns.

96 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Proust Questionnaire is actually two questionnaires--one that Marcel Proust answered in 1886 in the pages of a friend's journal ("Confessions: An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc."), and the second, completed four years later when he was a wise, worldly man of twenty. This compiles Proust's answers to both questionnaires (in his glorious handwriting, no less), plus the responses to either version of the questionnaire from Brigitte Bardot, Luc Sante, Alain de Botton, Rosanna Arquette, Tony Parker, Diane von Furstenberg, and others. Some of the replies are unsurprising (the most disliked characters in history tend to be dictators), some are funny (Luc Sante's favorite occupation is "professional namer (giving names to, e.g., cars, drugs, asteroids)"), and some are just curious (both Bardot and Tony Parker list their favorite names as Emma and Linea). In the spirit of the source material, there are plenty of blank questionnaires in the back to pass around to friends--so, mes amis, you're all on notice: start thinking about your pet aversions and how you'd like to die!

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

E você aí, reclamando dos livros interativos e cadernos de perguntas: Proust tinha um e fazia os migo tudo responder.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an understatement to say that Marcel Proust was wise beyond his years, as a child even. The answers that he (and others) gave to the insightful questions that are asked challenged me to look a little deeper & think a lot harder before giving an average or first response answer. This is a beautiful book & one that I'm starting to give as a gift. Be good & you might get one :)

[Franklin H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a well-thought-out approach for those passionate about journalism or looking to conduct interviews. It serves as a practical guideline for eliciting concise and constructive responses, helping to maximize efficiency during interviews. I believe that once you practice these questionnaires, it will become much easier.

FHP

[Diana Raab · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for the perfect gift, one that will both inspire and intrigue your friends all year long, this hardbound 93-page volume is an elegant choice. Proust lived a long time ago, and is an enigma, of sorts, the questions he posed are timeless and can help us understand ourselves-our likes, dislikes, preferences and beliefs. It's also a great coffee table book, and the questions within could be asked outlaid as conversation starters or as part of a getting-acquainted game.

My favorite writer, Anais Nin, loved reading Proust, probably because of his passion for probing and analyzing the human psyche in its conscious and unconscious states; thus, the answers to his questions were intended to provide insight into the inner soul. According to Henry-Jean Servat, The Proust Questionnaire is one of "the most popular methods of interview used by media throughout the work, enjoying exceptional and indisputable renown" (p.14).

[Degan Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love questions so it's not surprising that I love this book, but I love how people's answers change over the years and also that there are black pages to continue the practice. Very thought-provoking and in many cases, surprisingly poetic.

[Marcelita Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction by William C. Carter.
Proustian friends complete their pages.

[Gwen Hurd]

A keepsake. Beautiful book with images, illustrations, and gold leaf. Looking forward to filling in the blank pages with responses from my family.