Despite his acclaim, Daoud's literary triumph is marred by a silence back home, where his work lacks an Algerian publisher and coverage in local media remains absent. With "Houris," Daoud presents the haunting journey of Fajr, a survivor of Islamist brutality, who narrates her ordeal to the child she carries. The Goncourt jury praised the book for its poignant reflection on women's suffering during the civil war, yet noted the challenge of addressing such wounds under Algeria's restrictive "reconciliation" law.

Daoud, who experienced the brutality as a journalist, reflects on the contradiction of being considered a traitor by some in Algeria while being celebrated as a literary genius by others. He highlights the political victory of Islamists in the civil war, despite their military defeat, and the pressing need to acknowledge Algeria's full history, moving beyond ideological fetishes.

Now a French national, Daoud sees France as a sanctuary where he can freely express his thoughts. In his acceptance speech, he emphasized that the essential tools for writing include a diverse environment, stating, "To write you need three things: a table, a chair, and a country. I have all three." As Daoud remains a polarizing figure in Algeria, his unique perspective and literary voice urge audiences to reckon with their past.