So sell me on the Monk class, 'cause it doesn't look very good to me...

[SaurOps]

Note, though, that I didn't say D&D is realistic, but still more realistic than some other RPGs.

Not even under that qualifier. Between the Great Wheel and everything that surrounds it, along with the zero to hero progression where just killing people can grant you earthshaking powers, D&D is roughly as realistic as Bleach.