You can play a turn in 15 minutes if you take your time. Encourage them to read their realm forums and the help forums. If they are new to this type of game then they are probably not role players, so even a couple active nobles won't peak their interest.
What keeps me to this game is the fact that I can do my turn in 5 minutes if I have to. This is also a game where your wit and scheming can do wondrous things. This is not a game for the impatient.
Have your friend make an adventurer - that will spice things up a bit.
Also, have your friend post some public messages asking what they should be doing - there are some large wars happening now.
I don't think that speeding up the pace of the game is going to solve anything - let's just help get him more involved.
Best regards,
