Local author Dr. Sean P. David will launch his historical novel, *The Seas of Grace — A Novel Based on True Events*, at an event scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. The book launch will take place at the Red Lion Pub, located at 2446 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
*The Seas of Grace* is a historical fiction work inspired by the true story of a female ancestor whose family participated in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Set primarily between 1830 and 1840, the novel follows the protagonist’s maritime voyage aboard a barkentine from New York around Cape Horn to the Kingdom of Hawaii and subsequently to the Oregon Country, where she serves as a missionary. The narrative is enriched by the protagonist’s letters to family members over the subsequent four decades, chronicling her life and legacy.
The story depicts her multifaceted role as an educator, nurse, mother, and advocate for Native Americans in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Dr. David’s novel highlights the contributions of pioneer women of the 19th century, emphasizing themes of faith, resilience, and the often overlooked impact of women in shaping the Pacific Northwest.
The book is the first installment in a planned trilogy and features illustrations created by the author himself. Copies of *The Seas of Grace* are available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kindle, with the promise of wider availability at local bookstores.
At the launch event, Dr. David, who serves as a physician-scientist at Endeavor Health and a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, will offer readings from the novel and autograph copies. The Red Lion Pub, known for its mahogany-lined interior and history of hosting prominent Chicago-based authors, will serve as the venue for the gathering.
The book launch offers attendees the opportunity to engage with Dr. David’s work and gain insight into a historical period marked by maritime adventure and frontier missionary life, as told through the lens of a pioneering woman’s experience.