"This was it or die" by Thélyson Orélien up for a dozen awards

Already a winner of three awards, the first novel by Haitian-Quebec writer Thélyson Orélien is in contention for a dozen literary prizes, including the prestigious Goncourt and Renaudot awards.

Par Joubert Joseph
05 Sep 2026 — Lecture : 2 min.
"This was it or die" by Thélyson Orélien up for a dozen awards

Thélyson Orélien
Photo : Olivier Dion

Thélyson Orélien's first novel continues its remarkable trajectory in the French literary season. This was it or die, published in Quebec by Éditions du Boréal and in France by Éditions Grasset, is now in the running for a dozen awards, among them the prestigious Prix Goncourt and Prix Renaudot. This succession of recognitions is good news for Haiti, especially as it accompanies the publication of a debut novel.

The novel follows Jonas Dorléon, a history teacher forced to flee gang violence in Port-au-Prince. His migratory journ

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