Culture Vulture: Contemplating Fig Newtons in Iowa

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This year, some mooncakes arrived at our house in a tall blue tower, a cylinder promising fantasy on the tongue.

When you pulled on a white ribbon, the entire front of the tower swung open and tinny music issued from hidden speakers. Rapunzel would have wept at this construction.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 15, 2019, with the headline Culture Vulture: Contemplating Fig Newtons in Iowa. Subscribe