MANILA, Philippines — Classic literature has always been a popular choice for book buyers. But classic literature adaptations – prequels, sequels, parallel novels, revisionist works, or modern-day retellings – are also among today’s top-selling books.

Because a lot of literary classics fall into public domain, they can be used for derivative works. And because they are derivative works, classic literature adaptations have a ready-made audience: the reading public that is already familiar with the classic upon which it is based, or a classic.

CLASSIC AND MONSTER MASH-UPS At the top of the list of literary “spin-offs” are the monster mash-ups introduced by Quirk Classics in the last few years.

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” “Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters,” and “Android Karenina,” blend the work of classic literary masters with horrific creatures and gruesome action. The books’ success developed a cult following for these literary amalgamations, both from fans of literature and genre-based fiction, as well as a slew of bestselling titles like “Jane Slayre” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.”

The Manila International Book Fair runs down the list of best-selling literary adaptations as it celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year on Sept 14-18 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

• THE HOURS by Michael Cunningham.

Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, this novel is an original take on Virginia Woolf ’s “Mrs. Dalloway.” The protagonists are three women affected by the novel: Virginia Woolf herself, writing the novel; Mrs. Brown, a woman reading the novel in 1949; and Clarissa Vaughn, a modern day version ofClarissa Dalloway.

• THE WIDE SARGASSO SEA by Jean Rhys.

This novel draws the spotlight on the ‘madwoman in the attic’ from Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre,” Bertha Mason, the wife of Edward Rochester. It tells of her life, from her life in Jamaica to her arranged marriage to an Englishman (unnamed but implied as Rochester) and her descent into madness. C • MARCH by Geraldine Brooks. Based on “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, this novel shifts the point of view to the girls’ father, Mr. March abolitionist and chaplain in the American Civil War. The novel, which was awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, narrates what transpires during his absence from the March household in the classic novel.

• WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST by Gregory Maguire.

A revisionist story set in the land of Oz, “Wicked” presents the story of Elphaba, a girl with green skin who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The novel eventually became the basis for the hit Broadway musical.

• THE FINAL SOLUTION by Michael Chabon.

Featured in this novel is an old retired detective (who is unnamed but hints at Sherlock Holmes) who ventures out to find a parrot named Bruno. The title points to “The Final Problem,” where Sherlock Holmes faces his nemesis Professor Moriarty.

• MARLY’S GHOST by David Levithan.

A young adult remix of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” set on Valentine’s Day instead of Christmas. The “scrooge” is Ben, a high school senior who doesn’t believe in love. On the eve of the day of hearts, Ben gets a visit from the ghost of his dead girlfriend Marly, who warns him to mend his ways or suffer her fate.

• FITZWILLIAM DARCY, GENTLEMAN TRILOGY by Pamela Aidan.

This series of historical romances are based on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” The trilogy, told from Darcy’s perspective , follows the chronology of events in Austen’s novel but also incorporates new material on his character, particularly his feelings for Eliza Bennet, as well as his life as a prominent member of society.

• THE LOOKING GLASS WARS by Frank Beddor.

In this trilogy, Lewis Carroll’s Alice is actually Alyss, who comes from Wonderland, where her family and friends are killed by her evil aunt Redd. She escapes to Victorian England and tells stories about Wonderland, which people dismiss as a figment of her imagination. Alice represses her memo ries until Hatter Madigan finds her to start a war against Redd’s dictatorship. MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines.

For details, call 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.