Goncourt Academy withdraws Thelyson Orelien’s novel after allegations of plagiarism and the use of artificial intelligence

On Friday, the Goncourt Academy withdrew the novel “C’était ça ou mourir,” by Haitian-born Canadian writer Thelyson Orelien, from the selection for the 2026 Goncourt Prize amid allegations of plagiarism and analyses indicating that artificial intelligence was used in writing the book.

The decision was taken to protect the integrity of the prize and the Goncourt Academy, according to a statement from the institution. The academy said it does not support or approve the creation of texts generated with the help of AI.

The novel, published by Grasset, had been included in the first selection for the prestigious literary prize. The institution cited cases of plagiarism attributed to the author and recently revealed, as well as the converging conclusions of researchers and journalists, according to which the book is, “in all likelihood,” largely the product of artificial intelligence.

The withdrawal comes after the novel became one of the bestsellers of the new French literary season. Initially published in Canada and then in France in August, the book won the Fnac Novel Prize on Monday and was included in the selections for major prizes such as the Femina and Médicis.

The Goncourt Academy, chaired by Philippe Claudel, will announce its second selection on October 6, when the list will be reduced from 16 to eight titles. The four finalists will be announced on October 27, and the winner of the 2026 Goncourt Prize will be named at the Drouant restaurant in Paris on November 3.