Millions of people struggle with severe clutter and hoarding. Barry Yourgrau is one of them. Behind the door of his apartment, Yourgrau’s life is chaos. Confronted by his exasperated girlfriend, he embarks on a heartfelt, wide-ranging and too often uproarious project to take control of his apartment and life, and to explore the world of extreme hoarding.

Encountering a professional declutterer, a Lacanian shrink and Clutterers Anonymous—not to mention Britain’s most excessive hoarder—as well as explorations of the bewildering universe of new therapies and brain science, Yourgrau navigates uncharted territory: clearing shelves, boxes and bags; and sorting through a lifetime of messy relationships. Mess is the story of a man’s efforts to let go, clean up his space (physical and emotional) and save his relationship.