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Writer David Robinson takes a break from the keyboard on his front step. (ROB BROWN)

Writer David Robertson never thought his words would move so many people.

The West End-based writer is riding a wave of popularity this summer after celebrating the release of the fourth and final chapter of his graphic novel series 7 Generations.

"It’s a great surprise to see," Robertson says of the popularity of the series.

7 Generations focuses on the exploits of an aboriginal family over three generations and examines its struggles with a smallpox epidemic between 1870 and 1871 and the residential school experience.

It is illustrated by Charleswood resident and University of Manitoba product Scott Henderson.

The series finale, The Pact, was recently on McNally–Robinson’s best-seller list for four weeks straight.

"It has done better than expected. I knew from an education point of view and getting the work into schools would be one thing, but to see it getting accepted at more of a mass public level was something I didn’t expect," Robertson said.

The 7 Generations journey has been a long one for Robertson. The first part in the series was released in April 2010 while the concluding chapter was released in May of this year.

"We tried to space out the release of each part so that the right amount of anticipation could be built around each release," he said.

The idea worked. In addition to strong sales, 7 Generations captured the attention of actress Tina Keeper and author Rosanna Deerchild.  

The success of 7 Generations has also renewed interest in some of Robertson’s earlier work.

His first graphic novel, The Life of Helen Betty Osborne, a 2008 effort to educate people about the dangers of racism, recently found new life thanks to CBC Manitoba.

The Life of Helen Betty Osborne is the current leader vote getter amongst 16 books selected for Manitoba Reads, a province-wide battle-of-the-books contest CBC Manitoba is hosting in conjunction with the Winnipeg International Writers Festival.

Robertson said the recent accolades for the book came out of the blue.

"It was unexpected when I got the call saying it was selected," he said.

The Life of Helen Betty Osborne is a graphic novel about Osborne’s life leading up to her murder in The Pas in November 1971.

"The more people that read her story, the more people will learn about an important part of Manitoba’s history," he said.

Voting for the first round of Manitoba Reads ends July 29. The field of 16 books will then be shortened to eight for the next round of voting.

For more information, see www.darobertson.ca and www.thinairwinnipeg.ca.

rob.brown@canstarnews.com