Clotel; or, The Presidents Daughter

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Set against the backdrop of slavery and racial identity, this novel follows the life of Clotel, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson and an enslaved woman. It explores themes of love, freedom, and the struggles faced by mixed-race individuals in a society that devalues them. Clotel's quest for autonomy leads her through harrowing experiences, highlighting the complexities of race and gender in 19th-century America. William Wells Brown, the first published African American novelist, crafts a poignant narrative that challenges societal norms.