"Hard to Assume '' typifies the indomitable spirit of Karen Nduku, a young woman, born of a teacher and his student, in the wake of their one-night fling. The novel is a spellbinding work of fiction premised on post-independent Kenya. It is a storybook that is replete with many intrigues. The book portrays, in words, various characters whose mode of behavior, or ways of thought can stretch a reader's imagination to dizzying heights.

The story begins in January 1964, with the first term opening in Agatha Girls High School built at the foot of Kyulu hills in Makueni, Kamba land. Founded in 1954, Agatha Girls School had lived up to its maxim: Honesty, discipline, and hard work. The school's teaching philosophy was predicated on a set of Christian doctrines, heavily steeped in the dogmas of the Catholic faith.

So, therefore, it was not surprising that when the school opened its doors, for the very first time in 1954, a superfluity of catholic nuns, endowed with great skills in pedagogy, had come all the way from Italy.

The nuns had come to Kenya with a teaching strategy: to empower the girl child, by imparting knowledge, through an education that was infused with good moral values.

At that time, Kenya, as a budding nation was mired in poverty, ignorance, and disease. Her populace was largely uneducated, save for a small number of elites; the creme de la creme of the society. Charity Kiilu, the school head, was a member of this minority group. The Makerere University alumna had cut her administrative teeth when she had played second fiddle to Mary McCarthy, a missionary of British descent.

Charity Kiilu took the mantle of the school headship when McCarthy emigrated to her country of origin after her five-year stint had come to an end. Kenya had just been granted "Uhuru". Jomo, the new ruler, and a small group of political neophytes had hoisted a new flag, after doing away with the British Union Jack. Teacher Koome, Charity Kiilu's deputy, was a burly middle-aged man. The task of checking indiscipline in the school was within his purview.

Girls were in dread of this teacher, whom they derided in private. Teacher Koome was the butt of many bad jokes that revolved around his shabby appearance; tobacco-stained teeth, unkempt hair, and his crumpled suits. The Discipline Master, who answered to the nickname "Serikali", had a nose for mischief. Deviant students, whose behavior fell far outside the school's code of conduct, had reason to worry. Teacher Koome could sniff them from a mile away.

Notable among the teachers was Lucy Karimi, an exponent of algebra and topology, who also doubled up as the head of the Mathematics department. She had a knack for illustrating, in a simplified manner, how to solve complex arithmetic calculations; a distinguished quality that endeared her to many students.

Teacher Karimi had a soft belly: her dashing looks had made her the envy of many a female teacher, who took a dislike to her. In particular, teacher Karimi was in the crosshairs of Grace Kamene, her green-eyed colleague, who would mockingly harp at her to quit the spinsterhood club. At age thirty-eight, teacher Karimi was not getting any younger, but still, no man had come forth to seek her hand in marriage.

On school opening day, Jason Kyalo, the new English and History teacher was introduced to the students by the head teacher. Teacher Kyalo was easy on the eye and had a baby face that belied his age. When he gave a debut speech, the girls were entranced by his flawless gift of the gab. Charity Kiilu took an immediate liking to this new teacher, but not her deputy. Teacher Koome knew, intuitively, that the new teacher was the epitome of moral degradation.