On an full-time course ATPL theory works out at around 7 months, it is possible, though certainly not easy do this is via distance learning also in this time but 12 months+ is more the norm.
I had a student do it 6 months last year but he had no other distractions, partners full support & fully committed to the task.
EASA ATPLs are not that academic, it's the volume of quite often irrelevant rubbish and poor standard of questions in the amount of time that is the biggest issue.