Will Somersby, a character in the novel Disgraceland, arrives at a hospital in Ontario with his eyes bandaged, a stick in his hand, and a history stretching back several centuries. He claims to have met Mahatma Gandhi and will turn 456 years old on October 1st. His speech style mixes the archaic language of an Elizabethan jester with the casual tone of someone caught in a modern social media trend. Created by author Nick Tooke, Somersby is a figure who wants to die but is held back by a set of personal rules. When asked what broke his heart, he replies: "Madness. Longevity." Around Somersby are other characters, including Tuesday, a runaway teenager, Winfield, an Elvis impersonator, and various individuals with physical injuries. Tooke avoids turning these figures into simple symbols of suffering or virtue. The novel Disgraceland has a picaresque energy—moving from one situation to another with a sense of adventure—and embraces grotesque elements. Yet, its humor does not mock the people it portrays. Tooke skillfully blends burlesque and weariness, showing that living for centuries is not a superpower but a burden of carrying too many memories. Somersby understands this burden well, noting: "You can always count on a jester to escape gracefully." This idea becomes his method of survival. However, his constant wit can become overwhelming, with historical references, philosophical musings, and clever remarks piling up and slowing down the narrative flow. His dialogue is so polished that some lines feel rehearsed rather than spontaneous. As the story progresses, interactions with Miranda, a Canadian psychiatrist, add depth to the themes of memory and self-narration. These exchanges also create moments of tension before the two storylines converge. Despite these lulls, Disgraceland remains an oddly compelling read, more melancholic than it appears. Beneath the absurdity and flawed characters, Tooke poses a question: how many versions of oneself must one create to endure what lies ahead? Disgraceland answers without words: as long as someone is still listening to the story, the journey continues.