The Erebus disaster seems to be dogging my steps this last few weeks. At the same time as I was checking Wikipedia edits and finding some related to the crash coming from inside Air New Zealand, I was reading Chad Taylor's latest novel, Departure Lounge, which features the crash as one of its main motifs.

Before I tell you how much and why I love this novel, I should note that Jacinta Cassin, daughter of Flight 901's co-pilot Greg Cassin, has commented on the above post with her views of the edits. It's worth a read.

Okay, back to Departure Lounge. I've been a bit disenchanted with Chad's recent books after being an early and avid fan. He has been influenced by Paul Auster, who's not one of my personal favourites, I'm afraid.

But in Departure Lounge the surreal elements are integrated with the otherwise realist story brilliantly, rather than existing as a patina or style over the top. These - essentially the Erebus connection - are integrated emotionally, allowing the central mystery of the book to remain unresolved and yet still letting the reader finish the novel feeling they've been on a complete journey.

In my view this is Chad Taylor's best book to date. The reviewers have been calling it "cool, smart and original". It is all of those. But, to one who can remember the hopeless wait for TE 901, it is also quite beautiful.