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Product Description

An intimate look into the inner lives of our most prominent cultural figures— pulled from the celebrated Proust Questionnaire page in Vanity Fair magazine. The probing set of questions originated as a 19th-century parlor game popularized by contemporaries of Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that an individual''s answers reveal his true nature. Illustrated by Risko, Vanity Fair''s Proust Questionnaire Edited by Graydon Carter and Illustrated by Risko, brings together the responses of 101 of the most vibrant personalities of our time, from Bette Midler and Lauren Bacall to Salman Rushdie and Norman Mailer, from Martin Scorsese and Shirley MacLaine to Aretha Franklin and Eric Clapton. Candid, hilarious, and endlessly fascinating,

About the Author

Graydon Carter is the editor of Vanity Fair.

Robert Risko, a Vanity Fair contributor, is one of the most renowned celebrity caricaturists working today.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

ROBERT ALTMAN

FILM MAKER

April 2006 (Altman died in November 2006.)

My greatest regret: "Doing this questionnaire."

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Screening a new picture in a room full of "virgins."

What is your greatest fear?

See above answer.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Buffalo Bill.

Which living person do you most admire?

Harry Belafonte.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My tendency to take foolish risks.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Their reluctance to take foolish risks.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Frugality.

On what occasion do you lie?

What day is today?

Which living person do you most despise?

W.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

"Cut."

What is your greatest regret?

Doing this questionnaire.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Kathryn Reed.

When and where were you happiest?

Working.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Card counting.

What is your current state of mind?

Cautiously optimistic.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I''d make my legs the same length.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

No comment.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I''ve made only the movies I wanted to make.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

I''m immortal.

What is your most treasured possession?

Memories.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

The ability not to take one''s self seriously.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

The ability to take me seriously.

Who are your favorite writers?

Raymond Carver and Roald Dahl.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Philip Marlowe.

What is it that you most dislike?

Movies that explain everything.

What is your motto?

"Giggle and give in."

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Top reviews from the United States

Jay Quintana3.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Fun, light. 3 and 1/2 Stars. Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2021 The book delivers what it promises, for the most part (the majority don''t, though, answer every question on the questionnaire). so, in a sense, I should give this 5 stars. But I rated it lower because I don''t think reading it is a 5 star experience. It''s amusing, like a... See more The book delivers what it promises, for the most part (the majority don''t, though, answer every question on the questionnaire). so, in a sense, I should give this 5 stars. But I rated it lower because I don''t think reading it is a 5 star experience. It''s amusing, like a fortune cookie, and just as memorable. You dip into this now and again and definitely don''t read it in one sitting. I bought this for 6 dollars, including shipping and tax. I''m glad I read it, but I''m not sure I''d buy it again. I think I''d have borrowed it from the library. Helpful Report FrenchNic5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Love this book! Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021 So fun to peruse the answers and laugh along with the people that answered Proust’s questions.
I wish that Vanity Fair would do another one. Helpful Report Movies-au-Go-Go5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase The Risko images alone are worth the price! Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2019 A very interesting little book. My $ for this were well spent. The Robert Risko images that accompanied each interview are fantastic. Makes a great gift. Helpful Report Ladyhawke5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Vanity Fair ''s Proust Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2009 I enjoyed this book very much. I always turn to the last page of VF to read the Proust interview before I read the magazine. This is a collection of same. Insightful in some cases, frivolous in others..all are cool! 8 people found this helpful Helpful Report singing rodeo5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Very interesting Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2013 My friend and I loved reading these at school. So I knew this would be the perfect gift for her. And she LOVED it. Great bathroom or coffeetable read. Great artwork and very diverse group of people interviewed. One person found this helpful Helpful Report D. A. Haines5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Vanity Fair Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2010 Wonderful coffee table book. The celebrities answer the questions with humor and at times, amazing insight and honesty. One person found this helpful Helpful Report Tara T. Salvatore5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Excellent and entertaining Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2010 This is a great read- I was suprised by many, and entertained by all. You can read this over and over again! Helpful Report Catherine4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase If You Like Proust''s Humor & Insight Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2010 Nice book, attractive and high quality. Enjoy the monthly questions asked in Vanity Fair so this book was a gift to myself. I doubt most people have asked themselves, or answered, the questions Proust made famous as parlor games. Some of the celebrity answers are... See more Nice book, attractive and high quality.
Enjoy the monthly questions asked in Vanity Fair so this book was a gift to myself.
I doubt most people have asked themselves, or answered, the questions Proust made famous as parlor games. Some of the celebrity answers are insightful, some irreverent, some surprising. 2 people found this helpful Helpful Report

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Top reviews from other countries

K. Cotton 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Coffe Table Proust Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2009 A great book to have on your coffee table for people to dip into, compare your answers to those of your favourite stars! A great book to have on your coffee table for people to dip into, compare your answers to those of your favourite stars! One person found this helpful Report Ann Visram 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Vanity Fair Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2013 It was as ecpected a very worthwhile gift for a fmaily member who was very pleased with the book he received It was as ecpected a very worthwhile gift for a fmaily member who was very pleased with the book he received Report Translate all reviews to EnglishYaya 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Einfach super! Reviewed in Germany on June 8, 2015 Ich bin zufällig auf das Proust Questionnaire gestoßen und kann es nur wärmsten weiterempfehlen. Es ist natürlich eine leichte Lektüre, da es sich nur um beantwortete Fragebögen handelt, aber es ist wundervoll zum schmökern! Ich bin zufällig auf das Proust Questionnaire gestoßen und kann es nur wärmsten weiterempfehlen. Es ist natürlich eine leichte Lektüre, da es sich nur um beantwortete Fragebögen handelt, aber es ist wundervoll zum schmökern! Report Translate review to EnglishGreg Dexter 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Five Stars Reviewed in Canada on April 21, 2015 Excellent Excellent Report

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