The Académie Goncourt, organisers of France’s most prestigious literary prize, has removed a critically acclaimed novel by Canadian-Haitian writer Thélyson Orélien from its longlist following allegations that the book was “almost entirely” written by artificial intelligence.
The Paris-based literary organisation pulled Orélien’s novel C’était ça ou mourir after a French group known as Balance ton Claude claimed that the work was “almost totally” written by AI.
The group said the book was tested using Pangram, an AI detection tool it described as “by far the most accurate”.
The novel was recently awarded the Prix du Roman Fnac, the first major prize of the literary season.
Orélien was also a finalist for the Goncourt and the Renaudot, two of France’s most renowned literary awards.
However, in a post on X, the Académie Goncourt said its decision to withdraw the novel was “driven by the desire to preserve its integrity”.
“In light of the plagiarism committed by the author over time—which has only recently come to light—and the consistent findings of credible researchers and journalists indicating that C’était ça ou mourir by Thélyson Orélien (published by Grasset) is, in all likelihood, largely the product of artificial intelligence, the Académie Goncourt has decided to remove the title from its initial selection list,” the post reads.
“This decision is driven by a commitment to upholding the integrity of the Prix Goncourt and the Academy itself, whose central mission is to promote and honour literature written by men and women.
“The aim is to send a clear message—particularly to participants in the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens, the Goncourt des Détenus, and the more than fifty international ‘Choix Goncourt’ programs—affirming that we neither endorse nor sanction, in any way, the creation of texts generated with the help of AI.
“The Academy will make no further comment and will release its second selection list on October 6, 2026.”
Orélien had previously denied using AI for the book, adding that his editor confirmed the work’s authenticity.
The publishing house Grasset also defended him, saying the allegations “are atrociously injurious to a writer with an exceptional life-story” whose “work of creation is original and powerful”.
C’était ça ou mourir tells the story of a teacher who flees gang violence in Haiti before he finally makes it to Canada, where he enjoys life’s fresh air.
Orélien was born in 1988 in the northern Haitian city of Gonaïves. He relocated to Montreal, Canada, where he later worked as a journalist. His earlier literary works were mainly poetic texts.