Thélyson Orélien’s novel C’était ça ou mourir, published by Grasset, has been officially removed from the Académie Goncourt’s first selection list amid an escalating debate over the use of artificial intelligence in literature, according to an announcement issued by the institution. The academy stated that the decision was driven by the necessity to safeguard the integrity of the Goncourt prize and the academy itself, whose core mission involves promoting and crowning literature authored by women and men.
The Goncourt Academy’s Decision and the Lycéens Race
The urgency behind the swift removal of the novel became clear as discussions unfolded across French media. Speaking on the television program C à vous, Pierre Assouline explained that without this intervention, C’était ça ou mourir would have entered the running for the Goncourt des lycéens. While student jurors might not have necessarily chosen the title as a generational statement regarding AI tools, the academy chose to eliminate any ambiguity. In its official release, the Goncourt jury directed a clear message to participating students, affirming that the institution neither endorses nor condones the creation of texts generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
Industry Reactions and Public Backing
Despite the academy’s official stance, opposition within the literary community remains vocal. Novelist Yasmina Khadra published a passionate defense on Instagram, urging readers to purchase the book en masse. Khadra wrote that the beauty of a text can awaken harsh criticism, arguing that talent often frustrates those lacking it and that success agitates detractors. Khadra’s post called on the public to read the novel widely to deliver justice to its author and counter critics.
Sales Figures and Market Trajectory
Putting aside the ongoing controversies, the book’s commercial performance remains substantial. C’était ça ou mourir currently holds the number one spot in the fiction category, following a strong sales week that brings its total close to 50,000 copies sold. While curiosity surrounding the controversy may sustain robust sales in the short term, booksellers face decisions regarding their continued promotion of the title. An expanding market for second-hand books could also influence the trajectory, as readers who feel misled might resell their copies on platforms such as Leboncoin, Momox, or Vinted. The coming fortnight will determine whether consumer curiosity outweighs the fallout from the academy’s exclusion.
Broader Trends: Non-Fiction and Fall Releases
In the non-fiction and essay category, Sarah Knafo continues to record exceptionally high figures, surpassing 160,000 copies sold and approaching higher milestones. Meanwhile, two new titles entered the essay rankings: actor Guillaume de Tonquédec’s family memoir Ta mère et moi, published by Stock, which debuted in third place, and Philippe Besson’s autobiographical work La Première Phrase du premier livre, issued by Julliard, entering at sixth place.
Within the fiction segment, the attention surrounding the Orélien controversy has momentarily overshadowed the strong commercial debut of Agnès Martin-Lugand’s Retour à Folegandros, published by Michel Lafon, which stands in second place. The remainder of the top fiction list features major fall releases from authors including Amélie Nothomb, Anne Godard, Philippe Jaenada, François-Henri Désérable, Lilia Hassaine, Yannick Haenel, and Sonia Devillers.
Official updates regarding the progression of the Goncourt selection and subsequent literary sales figures are expected as the autumn publishing season advances.
Related reading
