If historical novels, films or even children's books now also tell heroic stories of women, the accusation is repeatedly raised that this distorts historical truth in favor of contemporary political goals.

Because whether we like it or not, the men were the fighters while their wives sat at home.

Or?

The new book by the Italian children's book author Davide Morosinotto is one of those examples that show that it's not that simple.

"Shi Yu - The Indomitable" is based on the life story of the Chinese pirate Ching Shih and tells of the rise of a girl from a humble background to one of the most successful pirates in the world.

So there they were, the women with power.

Why not tell about them?

Shi Yu, the protagonist in Morosinotto's novel, grows up as an impoverished orphan girl in an inn whose owner makes her slave and bullies her.

One day, Shi Yu meets Li Wei, who is being taught the secrets of martial arts by his grandfather Li Peng, who at first glance appears to be a rather inconspicuous alcoholic.

A little later, Shi Yu also becomes his student and learns from him the "Wushu of Air and Water", a legendary fighting technique developed by pirates.

Shi Yu takes advantage of this when the inn is attacked, Li Peng is killed and she herself is kidnapped by pirates: Because she can prove herself in a duel, she is not killed, but instead accepted into the pirate crew.

Your ascent begins.

Morosinotto's novel, which was initially published not as a book but as a serialized story on the Internet platform Wattpad, tells the story in minute detail.

One successful battle after another is dealt with chronologically on five hundred pages.

Another danger, another victory - the fleet grows and grows.

In between, Shi Yu is taken prisoner, from which she knows how to free herself with the help of her strong "Chis", her inner power.

The other prisoners at the same time, so she has a few more pirates on her side.

Of course, with many novels you know that everything will end well in the end.

But at least pretending that things could be different is only moderately successful in "Shi Yu - The Indomitable".

Only towards the end, when the decisive battle is imminent and the open narrative strands are connected, does it get exciting: what secrets are entwined around the "wushu of air and water"?

What was Li Peng all about, and why did his son, Shi Yu's best friend Li Wei, suddenly become one of their sworn enemies?

Even more interesting are the passages where you actually learn something about Chinese society, pirate life and the obstacles that come with it: Shi Yu once makes the fatal mistake of getting married, and her husband, Blue Tiger, immediately tries to dispute her pirate throne close.

Because Shi Yu has to

who now calls herself "Flying Blade", learn from her teacher Moth: "Customs require that the wife obeys the husband." Nevertheless, although many parts of the story are historically documented, the novel remains surprisingly superficial in this respect.

Which is a shame, because it makes it a somewhat interchangeable adventure story with plenty to read about.

But mostly from a male perspective.

Which is why telling Ching Shih's story is a credit in itself.

After all, how many people know that once upon a time, a woman commanded a fleet of 80,000 men so powerful that the Chinese emperor saw no choice but to make a deal with her?

Filling in such blind spots has nothing to do with exaggerated political correctness.

It should be self-evident.

Davide Morosinotto: "Shi Yu: The Indomitable"

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Novel.

Translated from the Italian by Cornelia Panzacchi.

Thienemann Verlag, Stuttgart 2022. 512 p., hardcover, €20.

From 13 years