Despite Controversy, Thélyson Orélien Stays in the Running for the Renaudot With “C’était ça ou mourir”

The novel by the Haitian-born Quebec writer, at the center of a controversy over allegations of artificial intelligence use and plagiarism, has made the second shortlist for the Prix Renaudot. It is also in contention for the Prix de la Porte Dorée and is the best-selling novel of France’s fall literary season.

Thélyson Orélien’s novel “C’était ça ou mourir” (“It Was That or Die”) continues its run in several French literary prizes despite the controversy surrounding its author.

Published in France by Grasset, the book is on the second shortlist for the 2026 Prix Renaudot, announced on Wednesday, October 7. The jury decided to keep the novel among the nine works still in contention, despite allegations that the writer used artificial intelligence and plagiarized.

The decision sets the Renaudot apart from other major literary prizes. The novel had been withdrawn from the Goncourt selection and did not make the second shortlist for the Femina. It remains in the running, however, for the Prix littéraire de la Porte Dorée, which honors works dealing with exile, migration and multiple identities.

The author disputes the allegations

Thélyson Orélien, 38, denies using artificial intelligence to write his novel.

In an interview with the Quebec daily La Presse, the writer said he had “never used artificial intelligence to produce texts.” He said he began working on the book in 2017 and developed the manuscript over the years.

The controversy erupted in September after posts on X alleged that the novel had been largely produced with the help of artificial intelligence. Plagiarism allegations followed. The Haitian writer disputes those as well.