'The Proust Questionnaire' is a fun, revealing gift book for this reflective time of year

I come from a long line of nostalgic people. My family loves to reminisce, retelling old stories and rehashing embarrassing moments and blunders, which are hilarious only in hindsight. We keep locks of hair from first haircuts, favorite drawings from childhood and well-loved teddy bears. I wouldn't be surprised if my mom is still writing things down in my baby book.

Which is why I love "The Proust Questionnaire," a beautifully bound book containing two questionnaires answered by Marcel Proust in 1886 when he was 15 and again in 1892 at age 20. The questions he answered have become a valuable tool for interviewers, made famous by Vanity Fair and James Lipton of "Inside the Actors Studio." In addition to Proust's answers, the book contains questionnaires filled out by actors and artists, as well as empty pages for friends and family to fill in.

The questions come from a book entitled "Confessions. An Album to Record Thoughts, Feelings, etc.," owned by a young friend of Proust and popular among the French and English upper classes in 1886. These thought-provoking queries are meant to reveal your tastes, aspirations and personality. Questions range from the mundane like "Your favourite colour and flower" to the esoteric "Your favourite virtue" and inquire after your aversions, heroes, flaws and present state of mind.

It's not necessary to have read Proust to enjoy the Questionnaire. Perhaps all you know about him is his involuntary memory associated with a Madeleine cookie, but your interest in him is likely to be piqued by his answers. As a 13-year-old, his favorite heroine in real life was "A woman of genius leading an ordinary life" and as a 20-year-old his chief characteristic was "A craving to be loved, or, to be more precise, to be caressed and spoiled rather than to be admired."

The book contains answers from French actress Isabelle Adjani, Rosanna Arquette, Chef Daniel Boulud and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, who inexplicably answered "Don Quixote" to both favorite fictional hero and favorite food and drink.

"The Proust Questionnaire" is a perfect gift for a reflective person or family. It allows us to immortalize ourselves for many years to come.

The book retails for $34.95 and is available at Revival Home and Garden in Georgetown.

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