Roland Spring is a lonely graveyard-shift cashier at the world’s largest specialty foods supermarket, The Food Expo , where shoppers and tourists are wowed by the carnival atmosphere and exotic fare––but beware the prices! His devotion to this gleaming grocery store is rivaled only by his love for Cosmette, the bustling city-state he calls home, ruled by corporate greed, consumerism, and far too many tow trucks. Vexed by a mysterious equilibrium imbalance that forces young Roland to face the world, literally, at an angle, he nonetheless dreams of one day running The Food Expo, where things have taken a wild turn with the recent hostile takeover by the NME Corporation, and the new fraternity of managers who torture him with their juvenile pranks. Adding to the chaos, Roland’s car is constantly at risk of being towed, due to mounting parking tickets, and his single-room-occupancy apartment has apparently been invaded by a squatter. Upon its initial publication, Life Askew charmed readers with its timely themes, unique voice, unforgettable characters, and cross-genre appeal—from satire and sci-fi to romance and tragedy. Two decades later, this 20th Anniversary Edition proves Roland’s story more relevant than ever. Join the wolf raised by men , as he represents the millions of underachievers who are looking for a leg up, hoping for a hand down, and waiting for the woman––or man––of their dreams.