Novelist accused of using AI to write book removed from French prize list

The Académie Goncourt removed Thélyson Orélien's novel C’était ça ou mourir from its longlist after an anonymous X account claimed it was almost entirely AI-written. The book has sold about 35,000 copies and won the Prix du roman Fnac; Orélien denies the allegation, and separate plagiarism claims have also surfaced.

• The novel was published by Grasset in August and sold about 35,000 copies
• The AI claim appeared on X on 21 September from anonymous account Balance ton Claude
• Translation rights were sold to more than 20 countries
• The shortlist will be published on 6 October, the winner announced on 4 November