The Haitian-born writer Thélyson Orélien recently participated in the Manosque Correspondances, a literary event in France, alongside fellow writer Dorcy Rugamba to discuss his novel C’était ça ou mourir. The book was published in France after initially being released in Quebec. Maya Michalon, who introduced the novel at the event, said, "We will put the controversy in a plastic bag and talk about literature with our natural intelligence." However, Orélien faces accusations of using artificial intelligence to write the novel and of plagiarizing several older Canadian texts. Despite this, some attendees praised the book, with one saying, "Artificial intelligence or not, we don't care. I found his novel formidable and I loved it." Another attendee remarked on the personal struggle of the author, noting, "You realize, we are harassing a man who left his country with only a plastic bag as luggage, a man who lived hell and who published an exceptional book." Orélien, visibly affected by the controversy, has chosen not to attend any book dedication sessions. After his remarks at the event, where the audience was not invited to ask questions, he spoke at length about the origins of his novel. The Académie Goncourt, a prestigious French literary award, has made an unusual decision to issue a statement announcing that Orélien's book will be removed from its first selection. Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, a well-known author, will mention this on Léa Salamé's show Quelle époque!. The Académie has decided that it will no longer crown a first novel, except in exceptional circumstances. C’était ça ou mourir, which won the Méduse Prize and the Fnac Novel Prize, follows the story of Jonas Dorléon, a history-geography teacher who witnesses the destruction of his home in Port-au-Prince during a violent incident. The novel draws a comparison to Stendhal’s description of Fabrice del Dongo in The Red and the Black, portraying Jonas as someone who is not a traditional hero but is trying to survive. Armed with only a plastic bag containing his possessions, Jonas begins a journey toward Canada, facing despair, misery, and numerous challenges along the way. Orélien aims to depict the emotional and psychological transformation of a man who loses his sense of direction, status, and dignity, yet continues to fight to preserve something of himself. The novel is framed by the words of René Depestre, a Haitian writer: "We have no country but we have courage." The story ends with an optimistic note, highlighting themes of solidarity and shared human experience. After the Manosque Correspondances, Orélien left France and was praised by Dorcy Rugamba, who had previously written the acclaimed novel Les enfants gâtés de Butare. His work was met with a warm and supportive reception from the audience.