Line #10 HiddenDepths/Literature


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6	!! Examples of HiddenDepths in {{Literature}}:
7	* In Michael C. Bailey's ''Literature/ActionFigures -- Issue One: Secret Origins'', Matt comments that Carrie has these when she says ice hockey is her favorite sport.
8	* Throughout most of the ''Literature/AmberBrown'' series, Amber dismisses the possibility of ever being friends with a classmate of hers named Fredrich Allen because he picks his nose and chews the boogers, and she doesn't think she could ever be friends with someone who does that. In ''Amber Brown Is Tickled Pink'', however, she meets him at his father's farm and comes to realize pretty quickly that the picking and eating is just a bad nervous habit, rather like how she sometimes chews on her hair or her nails, and learns that Fredrich is actually a pretty nice boy. After this, she becomes very annoyed with her other friends when they tease him behind his back, just like she used to do with them, only now she feels guilty about it.
9	* In the final story arc of ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'', Jake relinquishes command for a short period. When he becomes leader again, he's an absolute authority figure, and refuses to second-guess himself or let anyone else question his decisions, working from the standpoint that "a leader who shows weakness invites disaster". This ultimately leads him to becoming the most ruthless character in the series.
10	* ''Literature/SergeStorms'': ''Atomic Lobster'', Rachael, a PrettyFreeloader and AddledAddict with a HairTriggerTemper, knows enough about computers to create and run a profitable website. Granted, it's a porn site with pictures of herself, but Serge is surprised she even knows how to turn a computer on (especially since the book is set in 2008).
11	* ''Literature/BazilBroketail'': One thing which makes Endi stand out among other dragonboys is his aptitude at hazard games, be it cards or dice.
12	* ''Literature/TheBelgariad'':
13	** Beldin is a hunchbacked dwarf who seems, in his initial appearance, seems to be almost more beast than man, to the point where he dresses in filthy rags and prefers to eat his food directly off the ground to from a plate. However, this turns out to be a key part of Beldin's self-perception. His appearance and handicaps make people treat him like less than human anyway, and nothing in the world will ever make him beautiful, so he aggressively ignores both his appearance and any human standards of interaction. Once you get past that, Beldin is probably the most intelligent and well-read person in the world, capable of giving lectures on any number of topics, as well as kicking the ass of people three feet taller and three millenia younger if they don't pay attention. He is capable of feats of magic beyond nearly everyone, aided by his interest in science and nature. To cap it all off, he is a skilled entertainer, adept at storytelling, acting, tumbling and juggling, and is also something of an aesthete with a keen interest in and appreciation for art.
14	** Mandorallen is, at first sight, a typical jock knight with arrogance instead of brains. However, there is more to him than that. There is not a shred of arrogance about him, he really is one of the greatest fighters alive, and he is also beset by several insecurities, mostly concerning [[HeroicBastard certain irregularities surrounding his birth]], and the fact that he has difficulty managing his emotions. In spite of sometimes coming across as a bit arrogant and uptight, he is genuinely good with people. He is also not the sharpest bulb in the box, but still capable of improvising beautiful speeches in FloweryElizabethanEnglish.
15	** Silk masks a great deal of personal tragedy behind a veil of glibness and snark, most significantly his unrequited crush on his uncle's wife (who also happens to be his seniormost boss), and being forced to constantly lie to his mother about how she was disfigured by smallpox (she was blinded by the disease, and the rest of the scarring was so bad blindness was described as "a mercy"). It's stated that he is really far too senior a spy to still be working in the field, but he tries to stay away from home as much as possible so he won't have to spend his days lying to people he loves. He also frets constantly about BecomingTheMask, and sometimes has trouble remembering his identity.
16	** Rhodar is generally thought of as a BigFun-type of king, who spends most of his time thinking about his young wife. Rhodar is actually one of the best educated people in the world, and his personal library is the world's third largest. When the big war at the end of the series rolls around, Rhodar becomes the ''de facto'' Commander in Chief of the armies of the west, by virtue of having read every single text on military theory and history in existence. The more martially inclined kings like Anheg and Korodullin are better tacticians, but both readily defer to Rhodar on matters of grand strategy.
17	* ''Literature/TheBoneMaker'': Guine is introduced as one of [[MrViceGuy Zera]]'s many beautiful, muscular, interchangeable boy-toys -- of which he is definitely the first two. However, he also reveals himself to be quite perceptive, good at administrative work, and reliable in a crisis, and after they admit they genuinely care about each other, Zera [[spoiler:promotes him to her second-in-command as Guild Master.]]
18	* ''Literature/BridgeOfBirds'' has Miser Shen, a seemingly comical character who lives up to his name by hoarding wealth. It's only when he loses said wealth do we find out his backstory. [[spoiler: Shen's village was razed because he was unable to pay the duke's taxes. His daughter died in the purge and Shen was so devastated he look for a way to bring her back. He discovered that there was a giant who could grant his wish by paying him heavily. Shen then spends the rest of his life making money until he completely forgets about his goal.]] ''[[TearJerker sob]]''
19	* In Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Literature/ConanTheBarbarian'' story "Rogues in the House", Murilo is TheDandy, but when he receives a recognizable ear as warning:
20	-->''But Murilo, for all his scented black curls and foppish apparel was no weakling to bend his neck to the knife without a struggle. ''
21	* ''Literature/ACourtOfThornsAndRoses'':
22	** Feyre Archeron. One of the first things you learn about this cold, practical girl is that she's an artist at heart. She doesn't get to paint often because of her family's financial situation, but she secretly longs to more than anything. When she eventually gets the chance, she also shows herself to be skilled at it.
23	** Cassian is as rough as you'd expect from the leader of Rhys's armies, but is noted to be surprisingly perceptive. He can pick up on when Feyre's in a bad mood and adjust their training as necessary to best account for that. Feyre herself notes that she shouldn't be surprised by this; after all, as a general, he probably ''needs'' to be able to read his men's moods before going into battle.
24	* ''Literature/DarkDaysOfHamburgerHalpin'': It's revealed in the climax that [[AlphaBitch Purple]] knows ASL thanks to her having a deaf uncle. Thus, she's able to translate for Will when he reveals he knows who the killer is.
25	* ''Literature/DaughterOfFortune'': Eliza Sommers's guardian, Miss Rose Sommers is a very proper English lady who writes erotic novels anonymously. Her brother Jeremy is completely ignorant of this, but her brother John, a sea captain, helps her get them published.
26	* ''Literature/{{Deryni}}'': Late in ''King Kelson's Bride'', Sofiana reveals to her Camberian Council colleagues her previous role as [[{{Mentor}} godmother and arcane tutor]] to Mátyás Furstán. She implies that they intentionally downplayed his arcane abilities: "He was also a formidable pupil of the ''ars magica'' even then—far more formidable than I felt his brothers should know." She goes on to say that he came to her secretly for help when he learned of his brothers' plans, and that she and Azim (another Councillor) covertly assisted him.
27	* In ''Literature/TheDinosaurLords'', it turns out that every girl in Melodía's GirlPosse has hidden depths, leading to Melodía (who for most of the book thought herself the smartest) to conclude that she's the only shallow one out there.
28	** Abigail, apart from being a cynic who likes to see others suffer, is also an excellent strategist and planner, not to mention a born spymaster.
29	** Llurdis talks dumb, but is the most caring one and willing to go through literal shit to save her friends.
30	** Lupe is foul-mouthed, but also caring and devoted.
31	** Fina is a crybaby with a new great cause every other day, but she's also highly analytical and intelligent.
32	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
33	** ''Literature/TheTruth'' -- Mr. Tulip of the New Firm is a mountain of dumb muscle with a bizarre VerbalTic and a habit of snorting anything in powdered form, including icing sugar and crushed mothballs; he's almost [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain too stupid to be really malicious]], except that he really is ''great'' at killing people. He does, however, have a ''phenomenal'' appreciation for art history, capable of pointing out to various curators the provenance, quality and legitimacy of a wide range of pieces, and sometimes weeping over their splendour. All while hulking there with his ill-fitting suit and bloodshot eyes, dribbling drain cleaner and saying "--ing" every sentence. This and other elements of his {{backstory}}, like whatever left him PlaguedByNightmares, are only lightly hinted at throughout the book.
34	** Vimes also seems to have a lot more to him than NobleBigot CowboyCop. But in his own words "He knew he had hidden depths. There was nothing in them he wanted brought to the surface".
35	** People who look at Fred Colon see a FatIdiot. People who get to know him see... well, that he is overweight and not particularly bright, but he is an experienced street copper whose natural knack for getting along with people is one of the cornerstones of the Watch's information gathering efforts. He also runs one of the Disc's best kept dungeon (you'll find clean beds, plenty of fresh water and, if you're lucky, a cup of tea and a biscuit, but never be able to get away with fake gastric disorders or swiping the keys) in his capacity as Watch jailer. He has (reluctantly) fought in several wars (The Leshpian War as depicted in ''{{Literature/Jingo}}'' only being the last) and is a doting husband and father on the rare occasions he and his family are awake at the same time (his wife and children work day shifts).
36	** All three of the witches are fairly obvious character types: Granny is TheDeterminator -- a mean, strong, unyielding powerhouse, whose main flaw is that she can't admit she's wrong; Magrat is an [[WideEyedIdealist overly-romantic wet hen]] who gets steamrollered by Granny; and Nanny's [[DirtyOldWoman a disgusting old baggage]] whose main role seems to be as PluckyComicRelief. But later books reveal Granny is full of self-doubt and not lacking a form of kindness; right from the beginning it's clear that Magrat has [[BewareTheNiceOnes a core of iron]]; and WordOfGod is that Nanny is more powerful than Granny, but [[ObfuscatingStupidity cultivates an image that hides this]] because she has less will to use it. Being a witch seems to ''require'' having Hidden Depths; they're where the Second (or Third) Thoughts come from.
37	** Some trolls get this in low temperature environments, especially Detritus. In their first appearance it is revealed that the oldest trolls will sink so far into philosophical questions that they are essentially ''dead'' unless somebody wakes them up by, say, starting a fire in their mouth.
38	%%** History Monk Lu-Tze has some pretty deep hidden depths.
39	* Bjorn of ''Literature/DoraWilkSeries'' looks and acts like a big, burly Viking, but is actually a great fan of classical music and an excellent cook with a serious case of HeroicSelfDeprecation.
40	* In the ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'' novels:
41	** The elven princess Laurana is initially regarded as little more than a BrainlessBeauty, but when challenged she proves to be a brave warrior, skilled diplomat and inspirational leader whose innovative tactics lead her army to a series of remarkable victories in the Vingaard Campaign.
42	** You know Raistlin, right? The gloomy, pessimistic, bitter, [[DeadpanSnarker snarky]], [[KnightInSourArmor mage in sour armor]]? Turns out he's quite the entertainer, having started performing as a street illusionist at a very young age, to feed himself and his brother. Kids love his shows!
43	* Creator/JimButcher's ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
44	** In ''Literature/DeathMasks'', Michael reveals that his wife Charity made his armor. In ''Literature/ProvenGuilty'' you find out she also spars with Michael, has her own armor, and was [[spoiler: a dark magic witch who was sacrificed to a dragon (which is how she met Michael)]]. In the same book Charity and Harry [[spoiler: storm the heart of the Winter court Arctis Tor to rescue Molly.]]
45	** There is also "Cujo" Hendricks, "Gentleman" Johnny Marcone's bodyguard and top enforcer. A typical linebacker who communicates in grunts, totes machine-guns one-handed and generally looks like the DumbMuscle. Hendricks is shown to be deeply committed to his boss' safety, as well as madly in love with Sigrun Gard, one of his co-workers. Even later he is stated to have studied Philosophy on a football scholarship before one of his knees gave out, and is shown working on his Master's degree in his spare time. He also quotes Chaucer at his boss when the boss does something he doesn't like.
46	** Ronald Carmichael, one of Murphy's subordinates is fat, bald, and dresses like he sleeps in his suit and has permanent ketchup stains on all his ties. He is also a razor-sharp investigator, who keeps a collection of stuffed animals in his office to help comfort any children his work brings him into contact with.
47	* A recurring theme in ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' series. Some characters who at first appear as nothing more than villainous scumbags will turn out to be more noble than we were originally led to believe or they'll reveal to have very understandable reasons for their actions. Likewise, some of the "[[AntiHero heroes]]" will be revealed to have a darker side to themselves or that they have been working on very selfish motives.
48	* In the Creator/CarlHiaasen book ''Flush'' [[TheBully Jasper]] is the son of the main antagonist, and serves as the protagonist's jerkass rival, along with his crony Bull. Bull is described as very big, but not too smart (and he is beaten by the protagonist's sister and grandpa). However, later in the book, Jasper and him sneak out some beers and cigarettes, which he tried to light up, and instead set his dad's boat casino on fire. Bull drags him out of the burning wreckage, despite both inhaling smoke, and Jasper even tries to shift blame on to him for it. Amazingly, he still hangs out with Jasper, and leaves him when confronted by the protagonist and his family in the end.
49	* ''Literature/FamilySkeletonMysteries'': Various one-shot suspects who work at or attend the various colleges where Georgia adjuncts often turn out to have interesting interests and lives behind closed doors.
50	** In ''The Skeleton Makes A Picture'',
51	*** An infamously snobby art student [[spoiler:creates all kinds of slash fic fan art and posts it online]], although this is also treated as being somewhat hypocritical.
52	*** The prim and professional department secretary runs a fan site for an 80s glam rock group. [[spoiler:It later turns out that he was the lead singer.]]
53	** In ''The Skeleton Makes a Friend'':
54	*** The murder victim is viewed as a boring man who wore a suit for his [=FaceBook=] profile, but is an avid closet gamer who is praised for his selfless and considerate nature by his gaming friends.
55	*** A suspect with ample reason to frame a man mentions that she is a Wiccan who believes that hating people merely transfers negative energy back at you.
56	* ''Literature/FunJungle:'' In ''Bear Bottom,'' Evan, the video-game-playing ranch kid, is a surprisingly good tracker. [[ScarilyCompetentTracker He can determine how fast a bear was moving and when a sneaker print was made while following tracks indoors.]]
57	* The ''Literature/GentlemanBastard'' series is all about this:
58	** On the surface, the Gentleman Bastards are ordinary sneak thieves, while they're really brilliant confidence artists. Their original leader, "Father Chains," masquerades as a blind priest, but is really a gifted forger and all-around criminal, who's pulling the wool over the eyes of the town's crime kingpin.
59	** And in the second book, they run into a pirate captain who's also a highly-educated student of literature.
60	* The HotBlooded, aggressive, and rivalry happy Kirara of ''Literature/GirlsKingdom'' has stated that she wants to wear ball gowns, surprising her best friend, Misaki.
61	* Rafael Gives Light in ''Literature/GivesLight'' is the son of a serial killer, a brooding loner known for getting into fistfights, but he leaves memorials at the graves of his father's victims.
62	* ''Literature/HarryPotter'' provides a few examples:
63	** Severus Snape, on the surface a SadistTeacher [[spoiler:and later apparently revealed to be TheMole, turns out to be a DoubleAgent and the TheAtoner who is torn over his feelings towards the son of the man he hated and the woman he loved, both of whom he involuntarily got killed (hence the atoning)]].
64	** Consistent differences between [[TheDividual Fred and George]] start to become apparent after a few books. Fred tends to be the main instigator of mayhem and ringleader while George is only slightly more serious and has just a teeny-bit more moral restraint (for example, in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire 4th book]], he was actually a bit hesitant about blackmailing Ludo Bagman unlike Fred who was pretty hot-headed about it and wanted to rush in without a thought) -- with the exception of the incident in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheOrderOfThePhoenix fifth book]] where he and Harry go apeshit and beat Malfoy up, who mocked their families in a way that really pushed their buttons; but then again, Fred would've joined in if he wasn't being physically restrained by all three of the Gryffindor Quidditch team Chasers whereas Harry alone was restraining George until Malfoy pushed him over the edge.
65	** Fleur Delacour at first appears to be a highly vain woman who only cares about Bill because of his looks. [[spoiler:She later surprises everyone when it is revealed that she genuinely loves her fiancé after a werewolf attack leaves him with some very ugly scars -- she views them as badges of honor.]]
66	** Mrs Weasley in [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows Book 7]]: [[spoiler:She kills Bellatrix, the [[TheDragon second strongest villain]] in the series, through a MamaBear BerserkButton.]]
67	** According to Pottermore, [[spoiler: Minerva [=McGonagall=] fell in love with a Muggle after graduating from Hogwarts. He proposed, and she accepted, but then turned him down because she knew he wouldn't go with her to London where she would be working for the Ministry.]]
68	** Petunia Dursley is shown throughout the series to be incredibly jealous of her magical sister Lily and despises Harry for reminding him of her. [[spoiler:The final book reveals she begged Dumbledore to be allowed to go to Hogwarts and a deleted scene from the movie has her remarking that Harry didn't just lose his mother that night in Godric's hollow...she lost her sister.]]
69	* ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'': Coach Hedge in the first three books appears to simply be an MMA-loving BloodKnight and not much else. The fourth book, however, reveals that he and side character Mellie got married shortly before Hedge boarded the Argo II, he's about to become a father, and he's been harboring some hardcore guilt over his mother's death.
70	* ''Literature/HeWhoFightsWithMonsters'': Clive initially appears as a stuffy, scatterbrained Magic Society bureaucrat who Jason easily runs circles around. Then he mentions he grew up on an eel farm who got his expensive education on a scholarship for merit, and demonstrates that he's actually a quite powerful (if inexperienced) adventurer. He ends up being one of Jason's closest friends.
71	* Suzanne Collins's ''Literature/TheHungerGames'':
72	** At the end of ''Catching Fire'', Katniss learns she's the UnwittingPawn. Who is the mastermind? [[spoiler:Haymitch. The lush. Who suffers from [=DTs=], so he's not faking the drunkenness.]]
73	** Turns out Finnick isn't ''really'' a narcissistic playboy, and Johanna's bitchiness is most likely a product of and/or cover for her inner BrokenBird.
74	* Creator/PGWodehouse's ''Literature/JeevesAndWooster'': Many characters in stock roles like the UpperClassTwit and TheJeeves turn out to have hidden depths, which are {{Lampshade\|Hanging}} by name from time to time. Jeeves in particular is notable, in that he has become a role-model for a large number of stuffy manservants. Jeeves can indeed "buttle with the best of them" while on the clock and his antics in his spare time are not shown and mostly mentioned in throwaway lines. However, when taken together, they present a rather different image. Jeeves is fully capable of quickly and silently taking down a policeman, should the need arise, and, in his final appearances, has had his lethality augmented by unspecified service in World War Two. He is a highly skilled hunter and shotgun marksman, to the point that Bertie starts getting invited to hunts so the hosts have an excuse to put a shotgun in Jeeves' hands. Jeeves is also a highly skilled card player, and isn't above hustling his employer's friends when they need a fourth for a game of whist or bridge and his wallet needs a little padding. Finally, he is a man-about-town with a wide circle of friends, several clubs and at least one on-and-off girlfriend.
75	* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Would you believe that Annala, the shy and CuteBookworm, is/was a daredevil? Her MadScientist mom made her self-mending clothes because of it. [[spoiler: It relates to her CrisisOfFaith. Taking extreme risks and allowing her HealingFactor to repair her body when the risks fail was how she reassured herself that she wasn't forsaken by her race's patron goddess.]]
76	* ''Literature/KattLovesDogg'': Oscar and Molly don't have the best opinion of their cousins (Romaldo and Violet, respectively), and not without reason. But they soon learn their cousins are much smarter than they initially appear.
77	** Romaldo is a very theatrically-minded dogg who always wears shirts with puffy sleeves, and is known to not be one of the best Dogg Scouts in the organization. [[spoiler:However, he is very knowledgeable about how to build structures and ways to reinforce dams. He actually wants to be a building architect, and the whole acting thing is because he apparently hears that architects are pretty arty.]]
78	** Violet is a typical teenage girl, obsessed with fashion and her phone. [[spoiler:She's also very knowledgeable about the healing properties of certain plants. Molly thinks she's as knowledgeable about them as Molly's own mother, who is a nurse. Violet actually dreams of becoming a doctor.]]
79	* Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Literature/{{Kull}}'': In ''The Shadow Kingdom'', Kull is warned of this:
80	-->"You are thinking, Kull," said the old statesman, suddenly, "that Ka-nu is a useless old reprobate, fit for nothing except to guzzle wine and kiss wenches!" In fact, this remark was so much in line with his actual thoughts, and so plainly put, that Kull was rather startled, though he gave no sign. Ka-nu gurgled and his paunch shook with his mirth.\
81	"Wine is red and women are soft," he remarked tolerantly. "But—ha! ha!—think not old Ka-nu allows either to interfere with business."
82	* The 3 cops of ''Literature/LAConfidential''. Bud is frustrated with being the DumbMuscle, Exley is a squeaky clean hero cop ready to sell anyone out for a promotion, and Jack wants to do real cop work, but he's so hip deep in corruption that's it's hard to escape.
83	* Creator/JRRTolkien's ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' -- most hobbits have these. Check "The Scouring Of The Shire". Early in the book, when Frodo reveals his to Gandalf, it's even lampshaded a bit.
84	-->'''Gandalf''': ''Hobbits really are amazing creatures, as I have said before. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you in a pinch.''
85	* Prominent in ''Literature/AManCalledOve''. The title character seems, at first glance, like nothing more than a bitter old curmudgeon. As the story goes on you learn a whole lot more about him and realize what is beneath that exterior. In fact, the point of the story is not that Ove needs to change but that those around him need to learn to look deeper. For example, the ultra conservative Ove turns out to have no issues whatsoever with homosexuality, and even allows a young man called Mirsad to move in to his house after Mirsad came out to his father and got kicked out of the house.
86	* In the ''Literature/MatadorSeries'' by Steve Perry, [[OnlyOneName Sleel]] is initially portrayed as a LoveableRogue [[labelnote:*]]one of his friends actually ''used'' the words "loveable rogue" to describe him[[/labelnote]]and a bit of a [[ChivalrousPervert horndog]] with a complex about always proving he's the best. Then he's found browsing in the '''philosophy''' section of a bookstore, casually quoting poetry, and is able to spot a deception that fooled everyone else in his team. And then it's revealed that he has a doctorate in poetic literature, wrote several best-selling novels, and used the proceeds to set up a foundation caring for orphaned children. Oh, and his name is actually an acronym of his [[ParentalNeglect neglectful]] parents' initials.
87	* Creator/PatriciaAMcKillip:
88	** In ''Literature/TheBellAtSealeyHead'', Miranda Beryl arrives at the house of her dying relative and seems a perfect city-loving BlueBlood. Then, when Emma [[spoiler:see Ridley Dow caught in magic and is unable to rescue him, Miranda calls him by his [[FirstNameBasis first name]], which works, and arranges for him to be brought to a room with total competence and complete disregard for what happens to her clothes in the process -- and evinces knowledge about magic. Whereupon she recruits Emma to help her keep up the facade of a BlueBlood heiress waiting for her inheritance.]]
89	** In ''Literature/TheRiddleMasterTrilogy'', several characters have hidden depths, including Morgon, the peaceful farmer-Prince of a remote island, who is the last one anyone (including himself) expects to get caught up in prophecies that will affect all the lands; Raederle, who has inherited more than she knows or wants to know from the mysterious shapeshifters beneath the sea; and the pig-woman of An who Raederle befriends.
90	* ''Literature/MegLangslowMysteries'': Various victims and suspects have more to them than is apparent.
91	** Mr. Briggs in ''No Nest for the Wicket'' is presented as the face of VillainousGentrification at first. However, Meg later notes how he and his epileptic wife are HappilyMarried and that their two employees care more about Mrs. Briggs' health than their performance in a croquet tournament, and admits that "Mr. Briggs was a lot easier to hate when he was merely a despoiler of the countryside and not also the caring husband of a sick wife."
92	** Parker Blaine, the victim from "The Real Macaw", has a reputation as an extremely selfish HandsomeLech. However, his house is a model of charming, unostentatious homeyness, and Meg finds evidence that he was a very talented AmateurSleuth ([[DownplayedTrope although some of that sleuthing took the form of using and seducing women who thought he wanted a real relationship]]).
93	** Clay, the interior decorator victim from ''The Nightingale before Christmas'', is a mean-spirited, arrogant ex-convict who is [[spoiler:correctly]] suspected of sabotaging his competitors and killed his former agent (Clay was once a painter) in a fight after the man cheated him. When Meg finds his sketchbook, which indicates he was thinking about returning to painting, while there are several cruel caricatures of his fellow interior decorators, there are also a few drawings which are merely curious and respectful. A picture Clay drew of himself is also accurate in some unflattering ways, suggesting he struggled with self-loathing.
94	** In ''Some Like it Hawk'', the falconer who is brought in to keep the county clerk from using carrier pigeons is viewed as a brooding and sinister figure but turns out to be a pleasant, geeky guy who wants to train vultures to replace cadaver dogs and wants Dr. Blake's help with that project.
95	** In ''Terns of Endearment'', three drunken, lecherous cruise ship passengers who Meg unaffectionately dubs "the Three Stooges" help old ladies get around the ship and assist in moving around bags, taking care of sick crewpersons, and spreading announcements after the ship breaks down.
96	** In ''Birder She Wrote'':
97	*** Shane Griswold (the son of an obnoxious couple who moved to town a few years ago) is first mentioned as an apparent SpoiledBrat who was arrested for drinking and driving and possession of cocaine, but he is also a FriendToAllLivingThings who causes Meg to say a sincere prayer asking for him to not be the murderer (he isn't) after they spend some time together.
98	*** Society matron Mavis Anstruther is a pretentious credit stealer with some politically incorrect moments, but her StealingTheCredit moments (which she is embarassed about) come from a sense of inadequacy and she also shows a bit of wit and backbone, not unlike Meg's grandmother after she and Meg get to know each other,
99	** In ''Let it Crow'', Jasmyn, the reality show production assistant, seems like just a prissy, bird-hating ControlFreak who got her job due to {{Nepotism}}, but a lot of that is due to her unhappiness with a job she isn't really suited for, and she loves kittens, Christmas decorations, and yoga.
100	* In ''Literature/TheMoomins'', [[CowardlyLion Sniff]] proves his surprising people-skill as early as the second main book in the series. While Snufkin and Moomin can't get through to the professors at the observatory because they're too preoccupied with their work, Sniff walks up to one, butters him up with some flattery, and comes back with the exact information they were looking for. He also suggests that the Hemul might get into studying insects once he finishes his stamp collection, a hobby which the Hemul keeps for most of the franchise.
101	* ''Literature/MoonBaseAlpha'': There is more to multiple characters than meets the eye, although as Dash lampshades in Lilly Sjoberg's case, hidden depths don't mean that a person's flaws aren't real and serious.
102	** Overly strict moon base commander Nina has a sick mother back home.
103	** SpoiledBrat and occasional bully Lily likes to sit in the greenhouse for long periods of time without stealing any of the food (which is more than her family, Nina, and most of the scientists can say) so that the plants can remind her of Earth.
104	* ''Literature/NightfallSeries'': Initially, Tristan seems to be a vain PrettyBoy, whose only redeeming quality is his UndyingLoyalty to the BigBad. Later on, his BackStory reveals that as a human he was a reclusive poet, fighting to find his place in the world. After he becomes a vampire, he develops a great capacity to care for others and struggles with his [[spoiler: inability to create art.]]
105	* In ''Literature/ThePaleKing'', Chris is surprised when his father quotes a famous poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The again, he didn't know much about his father in the first place...
106	* ''Literature/ThePerfectRun'': Fortuna, Felix's sister, is a raging narcissist who has never had to lift a finger in her life because of her absurdly [[BornLucky overpowered luck ability]]. She repeatedly tells Ryan that anyone she is interested in has a duty to the universe to fall to her feet and worship her, and she says this as if she's explaining a basic fact of life. She's also an accomplished sculptor who is very apprehensive about her work. Between her luck and her family connections, she considers her art the only thing that's hers alone, and she is very protective of it.
107	* ''Literature/PortraitInSepia'': Frederick Williams, the perfect English butler and later consort to GrandeDame Paulina del Valle became a butler after [[spoiler: being SentencedDownUnder for stealing]] and later on learning the trade. Paulina is amused at someone of his past passing off as English nobility in Chile.
108	* Creator/JaneAusten's ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'' is all about Hidden Depths, with the main character learning that first impressions are not the only barometer of a person's character ([[TheCharmer the dashing charmer]] turns out to be a scoundrel, the uptight dullard is revealed to be a decent, honourable and caring man, etc). There's a reason Jane Austen initially called it ''First Impressions''.
109	* Queen Sabran IX in ''Literature/ThePrioryOfTheOrangeTree''. At the start of the book, she seems to be ignorant, sheltered, and arrogant, with absolutely no tolerance for being gainsaid. Ead considers being in her presence unpleasant and dangerous, and only tries to get closer because it would make being her secret bodyguard easier. Then a High Western wyvern, the "right wing" of the world-ending Nameless One, arrives to demand that Inys declare loyalty to his master. Sabran marches right out to meet him and orders him to leave her city or face a defeat the likes of which he's never seen. Although she's mistaken about being shielded by her HeroicLineage, it's still an act of courage that marks a turning point in how Ead sees her.
110	* In L. Jagi Lamplighter's ''[[Literature/ProsperosDaughter Prospero in Hell]]'', Calvin, Mephisto's "Bully Boy", turns out to be [[GeniusBruiser a college professor]] and TheAtoner.
111	* ''Literature/RaptorRed'' -- Red's sister is, for most of the story, a manic, easily-angered character who is deeply suspicious of almost every creature that isn't her sister. Imagine Raptor Red's surprise when she finds her playing slide-down-the-snow-hill with a pack of ''Troodon''. "''Sister -- playful.'' The concepts do not go together."
112	* In the ''Literature/RedDwarf'' novelisations, the character of Arnold J. Rimmer is fleshed out with lots of backstory that explains ''why'' he is such a {{Jerkass}} as an adult. Sociopathic parents, bullying siblings, thwarted expectations, plus a couple of honest mistakes anyone could have made (Gazpacho soup...) but which paralyze him with embarrassment and reinforce his self-loathing. He becomes more sympathetic as a result; you end up feeling sorry for him. His alter-ego "Ace" Rimmer demonstrates what really is there, deep down, and what Rimmer might still have the potential to become.
113	* ''Literature/RileyMcDaniels'': Grampy Dawson is introduced as an irresponsible drunk who nearly misses his son-in-law's funeral and then skips town rather than help his family through their grief, but he later starts being there for them more, appreciates classical violin music far different than what he plays in barrooms, and is a RetiredBadass brand inspector who is still willing to draw a gun on criminals.
114	* ''Literature/RoysBedoys'': Mr. Master seems like a generic karate teacher, but “It’s Black Friday, Roys Bedoys!” reveals that he also plays video games.
115	* ''Literature/SansFamille'': We first learn there might be more to Vitalis than meets the eye when, during a performance to raise money for a doctor to help the sic Joli-Cœur, Vitalis sings. Remi is bewildered to find out his master can sing, and Vitalis’ singing is praised by a rich lady. Although Vitalis pretends it is nothing, and that he simply used to be a singer's servant, we learn after his death that he indeed was a famous singer once.
116	* ''Literature/TheScholomance:'' The midway point of the second book fleshes Cora and Jowani out a bit after they previously come across as {{Flat Character}}s.
117	** Cora is developing DanceBattler skills for the graduation ceremony and is the first person to say no when an enclaver proposes that the seniors abandon El's plan and save themselves first.
118	** Jowani's apparent aloofness is because he has a SpeechImpediment that makes it hard for him to interact with comparative strangers, and every morning he reads a poem about love and hope from a book his father gave him.
119	* ''Literature/TheSecretOfTheCrystalCastle'': Signi the Red used to be an AbhorrentAdmirer to Ninisel, who barely escaped marrying him, and now he is a gruff and rude elderly man with a son hanged for murder and two bandit grandchildren. However, it is revealed he is desperately unhappy and wishes he could have been a better man and Ninisel would have stayed with him. The narration implies his feelings for her run deeper than mere lust (as Ninisel believed).
120	* ''Franchise/SherlockHolmes'':
121	** [[TheWatson John Watson]] knew he was [[CombatMedic a competent surgeon and a decent soldier]], but had no idea he was any good at writing until he started keeping a diary of his roommate's adventures which became a best-selling series.
122	** Sherlock Holmes himself: e.g. in "Three Garridebs", he shows a vulnerable side that despite the usual veneer of an exacting, calculating mind does care for Watson very deeply. And despite his famous initial claims in "Study in Scarlet" that he only remembers things he needs which the solar system and other topics like that aren't, he for example often quotes classic literature and probably knows much more about history than strictly necessary for his profession (a typical example being him calling Watson his Boswell). He also later expressly admits to having a bit of an artistic mind as well, and is known to enjoy and actively seek out good music.
123	* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', every character has Hidden Depths. However, with some characters, the surface is removed and you find out that underneath, they're worse.
124	** Probably the best example of the first would be Jaime Lannister. For the first two books he comes across like a completely solid jackass and remorseless villain, who more than lives up to his nickname "[[TheKingslayer Kingslayer]]" and reputation for lack of honor. Once we start getting P.O.V. chapters with him, we see that deep down he's quite honorable, [[NobleDemon has many noble and redeeming qualities]], is highly aware of the horrible things he's done, and eventually [[TheAtoner desires to try to redeem himself]]. Finally, the act that gave him his nickname and made him so despised, [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight is in reality possibly one of the more heroic acts brought up in the story]].
125	** Joffrey, in spite of his general horribleness, is shown to share some of his uncle Tyrion's intellectual inclinations and has a keen interest in history. Tyrion is shown trying to nurture this aspect of his character, but it sadly doesn't pan out.
126	* ''Literature/TheSouthernReachTrilogy'': The members of the 12th expedition aren't solely the roles of psychologist, biologist, surveyor and anthropologist. The anthropologist is also an architect, the surveyor is an ex-soldier and takes the role of the team's military expert, and [[spoiler: the psychologist is the director of the Southern Reach]], while the biologist is purposely intended to be the SpannerInTheWorks.
127	* ''Literature/StarWarsHonorAmongThieves'': Leia and Scarlet are surprised when Han, who has been having trouble articulating why he's supporting the Rebel cause even after he got his payday in ''Film/ANewHope'', prevents Scarlet from shooting a large swamp monster because he can tell it's not dangerous. Leia is surprised that Han would care, and he explains that partnering with a Wookiee has given him an appreciation for the rights of scary-looking creatures to live. Later, after he [[spoiler: implodes the entire planet they're on to keep the NoWarpingZone device out of the Empire's hands, he expresses regret at having to kill all the innocent creatures on the planet]].
128	-->'''Leia:''' You keep doing that. Surprising me.\
129	'''Han:''' I'm a complicated man. Many layers to me.
130	* ''Literature/JediAcademyTrilogy'': [[AllThereInTheManual The companion sourcebook]] reveals a lot of interesting tidbits about some of the Maw Installation soldiers and scientists who aren't fleshed out much in the books.
131	** SpearCarrier stormtrooper General Odosk only planned to stay at the base for a year or two to cap off his career before retiring to live with his daughter and grandchildren, but having to stay there for over a decade and go through repetitive and empty training exercises has robbed him of his ability to enjoy imagining a peaceful retirement.
132	** The bureaucratic Yemm, head of the administrative division, is bored by his duties and tries to mitigate this by organizing clubs like a ''saabac'' league or musical groups. He also changes his office every few months so he can have a different view, something which often inconveniences his subordinates (with Yemm making this up to them by keeping Sivron from riding them too hard).
133	** Snarky and grumpy artillery engineer Golanda's bitterness is because she was forced to come to the Maw Installation in the first place after being happy at a university think tank, and because the black hole's effect on gravity makes most of the experiments she was brought there to do pointless anyway. She is also the only high-ranking scientist to mingle much with the military personnel, and plays cards with them during her free time .
134	* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Every Surgebinder has this [[BrokenAce almost by definition]], but Shallan Davar is by far the most notable.
135	** One scene in ''Way of Kings'' has her [[spoiler:counting to ten heartbeats]], which "means what you think it means". [[spoiler:A [[SoulCuttingBlade shardblade]] takes ten of the owner's heartbeats to summon. The scene means she has one, each of which are considered priceless and rare.]] Given her culture's sharply defined gender roles, it's practically unheard of [[spoiler:for a woman to have one]], much less someone with the image she tries to present in public.
136	** Due to her flighty and friendly nature, a lot of people (especially Kaladin) assume she lived an easy and pampered life. [[AbusiveParents Ha]].
137	--->'''Shallan:''' You don't realize it, but you just said something very very funny.\
138	'''Kaladin:''' Then why aren't you laughing?\
139	'''Shallan:''' It's not that kind of funny.
140	** Normally, she's cheerfully shy and demure, but when a true life or death situation comes up, she turns into a ''stone cold'' killer. [[spoiler:She killed her mother as a child with the Shardblade said mother was trying to take from her, strangled her father with the necklace he bought her, and stabbed Tyn (her conwoman mentor) through the heart after a short fight]].
141	--->'''Tyn:''' Sometimes, we must do things we don't like, kid. Difficult things.\
142	''[[[spoiler:Shallan summons her Shardblade and kills Tyn]]]''\
143	'''Shallan:''' Difficult things. Yes. I believe I ''told'' you. I've learned that lesson already. Thank you.
144	* ''Literature/{{Temeraire}}'': Prince Yongxing, the antagonist of ''Throne of Jade'', is deliberately rude, underhanded, and eventually [[spoiler:outright murderous]] towards the protagonist and his comrades. This leaves Will quite surprised to learn that Yongxing had willingly forfeited his place as Crown Prince to become [[DragonRider companion]] to an albino dragon, who would otherwise have been exiled as [[AlbinosAreFreaks a bad omen]].
145	* ''Literature/TheseBrokenStars'':
146	** The reason Lilac and Tarver aren't killed with everyone else is that they end up in an escape pod together, and Lilac has the expertise with electrical systems to realise that the pod hasn't deployed, and hotwire things to trigger it herself.
147	** Major Tarver Merendson, field-promoted war hero from a backwater planet. Also the son of a famous poet whose book Lilac owns, and seems to be quite a poet himself.
148	* In ''Literature/TheTillermanFamilySeries'' by Cynthia Voigt, it's quicker and easier to count the characters who do ''not'' have Hidden Depths than it is to count the ones who ''do.'' Nobody is exactly who or what they seem at first, and reputations and early judgments frequently turn out to be unfair, flawed or flat-out wrong.
149	* ''Literature/UniversalMonsters'':
150	** Book 3 reveals that Detective Mike Turner is just as familiar with the classic Universal monsters as the teens, to the point of reminding them that Henry Frankenstein was just a student and therefore ''Herr'' Frankenstein in the movie, not ''Doctor'' Frankenstein.
151	** Likewise, Captain Bob thinks of high school senior Oscar Morales as just a dumb jock, but his biology teacher reveals that Oscar's actually very smart and a natural for surgery.
152	* In the ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' novels:
153	** In ''Literature/BlackLegion'', Telemachon Lyras is at first considered to be little more than one of hedonistic, sensation-seeking, Slaanesh-worshiping psychopaths of the Emperor's Children. However, it's revealed he does seek a purpose beyond hedonism and is, most prominently, the first character to get the Anamnesis to show human emotions by giving a surprisingly heartfelt account of Chemos's legends.
154	** Creator/DanAbnett's ''Literature/GauntsGhosts'':
155	*** In ''First & Only'', Dorden, TheMedic, improvises an explanation for [[spoiler:a wounded Naval man]] that not only shifts the blame from them but puts it on their opponents. When the troopers with him comment, he reveals he had been an amateur actor.
156	*** In ''Traitor General'', Mkvenner reveals [[spoiler: that he [[CunningLinguist knows Old Gothic]]. Better than Gaunt does, even.]]
157	*** In ''Honour Guard'', although Hark has been assigned to the Ghosts to bring down Gaunt, he capably assists Gaunt's mission, even after [[spoiler: Gaunt decides to [[MilitaryMaverick defy orders]] (although he does try to arrest him immediately, until it is clearly impracticable]].
158	** ''Literature/HorusHeresy'': Perturabo has, before "Angel Exterminatus", either been ignored entirely or portrayed as the bitter siege specialist his Legion is known for being. In that book, however, it turns out that he has a solid grounding in [[WickedCultured his homeworld's classical mythology]], and his greatest dream is to build cities, universities and monuments, rather than grey slabs encrusted in guns and barbed wire. A lot of his bitterness came about because nobody, including his father the Emperor, actually cared enough about him to ''learn'' this.
159	* ''Literature/WaxAndWayne'': Steris initially comes off as a stoic, fussy, and small-minded woman obsessed with paperwork. Over the course of the books, it becomes clear that she's both more fragile and more empathic than she seems, plus a teeny tiny adrenaline fetish. In ''Literature/BandsOfMourning'', she is extremely nervous before the wedding, and reveals that while she knows she can't plan for everything, she at least feels better for trying.
160	%%* ''All'' the characters in ''Literature/TheWestingGame''.
161	* ''Literature/TheWomensRoom'': Clarissa may be sheltered and from a nice middle-class family, but one thing she keeps quiet is that when she was a student, she worked with a neighbourhood programme in Roxbury, teaching ghetto children to read, and eventually had to leave when funding was cut off under the Nixon government. In-universe, Val sees Mira as having HiddenDepths on learning about [[spoiler:Mira's suicide attempt.]], saying that she found her shallow at first, but that Mira had deepened over the past few years and, to quote Val, "the fact you [[spoiler:tried to knock yourself off]] tells me you always had strong feelings."
162	** A darker version occurs with Natalie's husband Hamp earlier in the novel. He's a mild, lazy, unassuming sort of guy…[[spoiler:who writes pornographic torture fiction about women, including his wife and mother, and love letters to Mira.]]
163	* B's father in the ''Literature/ZomB'' series. At first, he seems like nothing more than a wife-beater and a violent racist. But at the end of the first book [[spoiler: he storms B's school and saves as many of the kids as he can.]] And later [[spoiler: he expresses that he really does love his wife, by choosing to die with her.]]
164

Context HiddenDepths / Literature