Morten Traavik completes Shabana Rehman’s book after her death

Shabana Rehman began the book project long before she fell ill. The book will now be completed by author Morten Traavik.

The book is published by Vigmostad & Bjørke, who write in a press release that director, artist and writer Morten Traavik will complete Shabana Rehman’s book.

Rehman had already been working on the writing project for several years when she became seriously ill with cancer last year.

– A few months before she died, Shabana asked me to help her write the book, which she thought of as a “cultural heritage” that would live on after her. She was clear, right up to the end, that if she were to pass away during the process, I would finish the book for her, says Rehman’s close friend and colleague, Morten Traavik, according to the press release.

It also states that with this book, Shabana Rehman wanted primarily to look ahead – by summarizing and sharing the experiences she had gathered throughout her life.

– She wanted to write a spiritual and literary testament – a guide for new generations to insights into life which for her had often been expensive and hard-fought, but which she always communicated with warmth, wit, humor and not least a rare zest for life, says Traavik.

He collaborated with Rehman for a number of years, most recently with the much-discussed stage performance, “The Wasting Commission”, which was performed in three parts in the period 2020–2022.

Rehman’s last public appearance was with the closing part of the performance in Kristiansand on 27 November, just one month before she died.

– Shabana fought for everyone’s right to be free in their life choices, and has helped shape modern Norway. Her book will be important, and I am glad that Morten Traavik has agreed to complete it, says publishing manager at Vigmostad & Bjørke, Elizabeth Sellevold.

Morten Traavik (b. 1971) has previously published the books “The Devil is a fallen angel” and “The Traitor’s Guide to North Korea”.