How many books are judged by the cover?

I was once told
that I was much
nicer than I seemed,
I believe it was intended
that I mistake this
for a compliment.

Apparently my face
and comportment
had become a disguise,
which, when peered around,
revealed something other
than had been surmised.

I do recall, in a gentle twist,
that the backhander of this
assessment of my person
was, despite clearly being
blessed with tact and insight,
not nice at all.