The whole gamut, as you say. The Orokon series veers between mystical wonderment, horror, farce, suspense, action-adventure and blatant sentimentality, and I suppose that overall it is a kind of black comedy. Although I don't think all this out when I'm writing, I think what I'm trying to convey is something of the complexity of experience. I love the sort of character who is at once lovable and appalling, such as Umbecca or the Caliph Oman Elmani, or the sort of character, such as Polty, who compels sympathy even as he becomes more and more depraved. I don't want my readers to have any simple, black and white moral response to the books.
Ambiguity is everywhere.
The signs are hard to read. Just like life, in other words. I'm not sure I think in those terms. Yes, there are particular issues that concern me, such as gay liberation, animal rights, or the environment. And I think everyone should read Autogeddon by Heathcote Williams and No Logo by Naomi Klein.