Haitian novelist Thélyson Orélien has won the 2026 Méduse Prize, awarded for his first novel, C’était ça ou mourir, which will be published on August 19 by Grasset. Created in 2022, the award traditionally opens the French literary prize season and honors a discovery expected to make its mark during the season.

In a first reaction gathered by Le Nouvelliste, Thélyson Orélien expressed his emotion at receiving the distinction: “Receiving the Méduse Prize, which opens the French literary season and recognizes a novel expected to stand out during the season, is a great honor and an immense joy.”