This title is "An Exaltation of Stars" and NOT "An Exaltation of THE Stars". This is not a book of idolatry about movie actors. Edited by Terry Carr, these three stories from 1973 are in the "What If?" category, relating spiritual (not necessarily religious) concerns about Man's condition.
Silverberg's story relates the tale of a former astronaut, driven to guilt by having survived an expedition to Mars when his companions did not, who finds spiritual salvation in a cult community in the California desert -- or does he?
Zelazny tells a convoluted story of undersea treasure, murder, mental telepathy, and a non-human spiritual ecstasy only glimpsed by humans.
Pangborn's post-apocalyptic story does confront a Church of the future against a non-churched visionary in the "Christ would be crucified again" form.
Pangborn's is the best-told (a master of style), Zelazny's the best-paced; all three raise fascinating questions to ponder.
Silverberg's story relates the tale of a former astronaut, driven to guilt by having survived an expedition to Mars when his companions did not, who finds spiritual salvation in a cult community in the California desert -- or does he?
Zelazny tells a convoluted story of undersea treasure, murder, mental telepathy, and a non-human spiritual ecstasy only glimpsed by humans.
Pangborn's post-apocalyptic story does confront a Church of the future against a non-churched visionary in the "Christ would be crucified again" form.
Pangborn's is the best-told (a master of style), Zelazny's the best-paced; all three raise fascinating questions to ponder.
