A point about LHoD is that LeGuin wrote way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth (and before anyone else doing anything like. I fangirl her pretty hard). So if you read it and think "This is neat, but a lit ___centric...", LeGuin has probably already wrote a short-story or essay in which she attempts to incorporate some of that criticism. Look for "Coming of Age in Karhide" and "Winter's King," or google for her essays.

(OMG she has a blog! *fangirls moar*)