I read this novel in paperback about 20 years ago and again about 10
years ago. In the "last days," at the "end of time", time starts going
backwards for some of the people. Some of the dead revive; they and
some of the living start living backwards, i.e., getting younger and
younger. Actions are reversed (e.g., at meals people regurgitate their
food into wholeness and return it to the stove/fridge/market). Social
taboos change accordingly. In one couple, the husband is aging
normally while the wife regresses. I think a boy or teenager has a
major role. As I recall, the author was well-enough known (previously
published) but not a megastar.

Hello Evergreen,

Your description sounds just like "Counter-Clock World" (1967) by
Philip K. Dick.

Quote Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375719334/
"[The] world has entered the Hobart Phase--a vast sidereal process in
which time moves in reverse. As a result, libraries are busy
eradicating books, copulation signifies the end of pregnancy, people
greet with, "Good-bye," and part with, "Hello," and underneath the
world’s tombstones, the dead are coming back to life. One imminent
old-born is Anarch Peak, a vibrant religious leader whose followers
continued to flourish long after his death. His return from the dead
has such awesome implications that those who apprehend him will very
likely be those who control the fate of the world."

Longer summaries and reviews can be found at:

Counter-Clock World at PhilipKDick.com
http://www.philipkdick.com/counter_clock.htm

Andy's Anachronisms - Time Travel Book Reviews: Counter-Clock World
http://www.interlog.com/~mimyandy/time_travel/b_reviews/counterclock.html


The following book might also be a possibility:

"Ubik" (1969) by Philip K. Dick
http://www.geocities.com/pkdlw/ubik3.html
"This novel is a metaphysical comedy of death and salvation (which is
available in a convenient aerosol spray). (...) As the story
progresses, time moves backwards as the characters remain in their
current time period. This makes for some very clever situations as
objects deteriorate before their eyes and a world from the past
overtakes them."


Arguably, Philip K. Dick is a "megastar" of Science-Fiction, but I
hope this is what you are looking for!


Search strategy:
    (I read the book "Counter-Clock World")

Search terms:
    "Philip K. Dick" [at Amazon.com]
    "time moves backwards"

Yes, that's exactly it! "Counter-Clock World." Now that I see the
author is Philip K. Dick, I can't imagine why I remembered it as a
less-stellar figure. "Ubik" also sounds like an interesting book that
I'll look into. Good work, j philipp-ga! (Why are we all
_Georgians_???)