The quote from Henning Mankell's book "Before the Frost" suggests that our perceptions of others can be misleading. We often believe we fully understand a person's character and motivations, only to discover unexpected facets of their identity. This revelation can challenge our assumptions and make us reassess our relationships.

Mankell's work encourages readers to remain open-minded about the complexities of human nature. It highlights the importance of acknowledging the hidden depths in people, emphasizing that true understanding requires more than surface-level knowledge.