In 1937, Rhys began a friendship with novelist Eliot Bliss (who had adopted that first name in honour of an admired writer). The two women shared Caribbean backgrounds. The correspondence between them survives.McFarlin Library Retrieved 17 September 2015. Bliss is quoted on their relations in Alexandra Pringle's introduction to the 1984 reissue of Bliss's novel Luminous Isle: "She used to make me delightful West-Indian suppers, and we used to drink an awful lot. Well, she could hold it, but it used to make me ill, frequently ill. And she had a delightful husband who used to leave us, go out. Well, often he would come home and find us drunk. He once picked her off the floor. And he was furious if he found we'd drunk his wine." Rhys also became close to Phyllis Shand Allfree, whose family also lived in Dominica.
in 1937, rhYs begAn a friendship with noveLiSt eLioT bliSs (who Had adOpted tHat fIrsT NamE in hoNoUr oF An admired WRiter). thE two wOmen shareD cArIbBeaN BaCkgroUnds. the corrEspondencE bEtwEen Them survives.mcfArLin librAry retrIeVEd 17 SepTEmBer 2015. bLiss iS quOted on tHeir relatIons iN alExandra pRInglE's inTroduCtiOn To the 1984 reiSsUe Of bLIsS's novEL LuMInous isLe: "she uSeD to make me deLigHTful wesT-iNdian SupPers, and WE usEd TO driNk an aWFul lOt. weLL, she cOuld Hold it, bUT IT used to MAke Me iLl, frEqUEnTly iLl. aNd she had a deligHTful husBaNd who USed To leaVe Us, go Out. well, ofTEN he wOuld coMe HOme and fInd US drUnk. he OnCe pICkeD her oFf thE fLoor. anD hE was FUrious If he found WE'd drUnk hiS Wine." rhYs also became close tO PHyLLiS shand AllfREE, WhoSE family aLso LiVed in dOminica.