Critical studies on the works of Syrian novelist Hanna Mina have proliferated, with his novels—particularly Remains of Images—marking a significant milestone in the trajectory of Arab realist fiction. However, few studies have approached his works through the lens of reception theory. This study seeks to fill this gap by taking Remains of Images as a case study. It addresses the following question: How does the narrative structure of the novel invite the reader to participate in constructing meaning, and how does the reader’s horizon of expectation interact with the text’s strategies to produce a distinctive reception experience? The study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology based on the concepts of the "horizon of expectation" and the "implied reader." The study concludes that Remains of Images, despite its affiliation with critical realism, transcends a linear representation of historical reality to become an open text that encourages interpretation. It shapes the reader’s horizon of expectation through its exploration of the human concerns of its characters within the context of Syrian social transformation, while creating an aesthetic distance through the complexity of its characters, the interweaving of their destinies, and its polyphonic narrative style. As a result, the novel invites readers to reassess their expectations and actively participate in uncovering deeper layers of meaning.