Manny Farber, has gone silent.
I loved his painting, his criticism made me receptive to films I would have over looked. He wrote well, painted well and made the world that much more colorful.

Washington Post Obit.

I've read some Warshow. I've read some Kael. But I've not read Farber, other than reading about his influence on other critics.

Appreciations like David Edelstein's are noting Negative Space, which, sadly, two major library systems in my area don't carry. I may buy it.

Has anyone here read it, or other Farber writings?

As far as I know, Negative Space is the only volume of film criticism Farber ever put out. It was previously published under the simple title Movies.

Although I can't claim Farber as an influence, his writing is extremely stimulating. He sometimes loses me when going after abstract concepts, but to the degree that I understand, I admire. His was truly an agile mind.

Christian, you should get ahold of a copy by any means necessary. Try reading his essay on Preston Sturges. It's wonderful.