Matthew Manning is a name that resonates deeply within the annals of psychical research. From his youth, he was surrounded by baffling phenomena – from disruptive poltergeist activity to the uncanny ability to produce automatic writing and drawings, often replicating the styles of famous deceased individuals. Among the key texts chronicling these early, extraordinary experiences is his seminal book, ‘The Link’.
Published in the 1970s, ‘The Link’ is more than just an autobiography; it’s a detailed, first-person account of phenomena that defied conventional explanation and attracted significant scientific scrutiny. The book serves as Manning’s primary narrative documenting the events that transpired around him, particularly during his teenage years, and his personal quest to understand ‘the link’ – the connection to whatever force, intelligence, or energy was apparently manifesting through him.
The core of ‘The Link’ revolves around two main phases of Manning’s early abilities. The first details the often disruptive and frightening poltergeist phenomena that plagued his family home. Objects moved seemingly on their own, strange noises echoed through the house, and unexplained markings appeared. Manning recounts the disruption and distress these events caused, leading his family to seek various explanations and eventually, the attention of psychical researchers.
The second, and perhaps most intriguing, part of the book focusses on the emergence of automatic writing and drawing. Manning describes how his hand would seemingly be guided by an external force, producing text and sketches in a variety of styles, some attributed to historical figures or artists. ‘The Link’ includes reproductions of this automatic script and artwork, allowing readers a visual glimpse into the strangeness of these productions. Manning explores the possibility that these communications were indeed from discarnate entities or perhaps manifestations of a powerful, unconscious part of his own mind. The title, ‘The Link’, encapsulates his attempt to understand this bridging between worlds or states of consciousness.
Crucially, ‘The Link’ also details the extensive investigations conducted into Manning’s abilities by reputable scientists and members of the Society for Psychical Research. Manning was remarkably open to being tested in controlled environments, and the book provides his perspective on these experiments, the observed phenomena, and the diverse reactions from the scientific community – ranging from genuine perplexity to outright scepticism.
‘The Link’ became a highly influential book in the field of psychical research, offering a compelling, if controversial, case study documented by the subject himself. It brought the phenomena of poltergeists and automatic writing to a wider audience and fuelled debates about the nature of consciousness, survival after death, and the limits of conventional science.
Decades later, ‘The Link’ remains a fascinating and important read for anyone interested in the history of psychical phenomena and the enduring mysteries surrounding Matthew Manning’s early life. It stands as a testament to a period where inexplicable events thrust a young man into the spotlight, forcing both him and the scientific establishment to confront the possibility of realities beyond the easily explained. ‘The Link’ isn’t just a book about strange events; it’s a personal journey into the heart of the unknown, documented with a clarity that continues to intrigue and provoke thought.
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