Diary of a Madman (1835)

The short diary of Aksénti Ivánovitch Popríchin, a public servant that slowly turns insane, at first just convincing himself dogs are able to speak and write, and ending up pretending he is Fernando VIII, king of Spain. In spite of not being a cheerful story, one cannot avoid an ocassional smile. ( )

A generally good collection of short stories:

Diary of a Madman - hilariously funny at first, but more tragic at the end as the narrator's insanity comes into full force.

The Nose - ridiculous, yet somehow charmingly funny. This is usually reckoned to be his short story masterpiece, but I prefer Diary and Overcoat.

The Overcoat - another funny story, but with a sad and pathetic end

How Ivan Ivanovich quarelled with Ivan Nikiforovich - some amusing dialogue between two friends who fall out, but otherwise rather tiresome and overlong.

Ivan Fyodorovich Shponka and his Aunt - mildly amusing but inconsequential ( )

http://www.assirio.pt/bibliografia.php?id=1408#100050 ( )