"Clotel" is a novel written by William Wells Brown, published in 1853. It is considered one of the first African American novels and tells the story of a mixed-race woman named Clotel, who is the daughter of a white slave owner and an enslaved woman. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and the struggles of African Americans in a society marked by slavery. The narrative follows Clotel's life as she navigates the challenges of being both black and white in a prejudiced society. The book highlights the injustices of slavery and the impact of racial discrimination, making it a significant work in American literature and a critical commentary on the social issues of its time.